Identifying Risk Factors for Low Piglet Birth Weight, High Within-Litter Variation and Occurrence of Intrauterine Growth-Restricted Piglets in Hyperprolific Sows

This study aimed to identify risk factors affecting PBW, high CVPBW and the occurrence of IUGR piglets in 12 commercial Danish herds with hyperprolific sows using free-access stalls, floor or electronic sow feeding systems in the gestation unit. The following factors were investigated: the duration of previous lactation, the length of the interval from weaning to insemination, the length of gestation, litter size, parity, sow backfat thickness in late gestation and the type of feeding system in the gestation unit. The study included newborn piglets from 452 litters with the following production indicator averages: 21.3 piglets/L, 1235 g PBW, 22.9% CVPBW and 10.9% and 11.8% within-litter occurrence of severe and mild IUGR piglets, respectively. Increasing length of weaning-to-insemination interval decreased PBW by 25.8 g/day. For 2nd to 9th parity sows, each additional piglet in the litter increased CVPBW by 0.38%, the occurrence of severe IUGR piglets by 0.68% and mild IUGR piglets by 0.50%. Sows of 5th parity and older had a 1.39% higher CVPBW and 49.1 g lighter piglets compared with sows of 2nd to 4th parity. PBW was lower in one ESF herd, suggesting complex interactions that need to be further elucidated. The main critical risk factor observed was litter size.

Low birth weight in Lebanon: a morphological parameter and a health status indicator

Thistudy is an attempt to determine the incidence of low birth weight [LBW] in Lebanon. Biometric, biomedical and sociobehavioural parameters were investigated. The incidence of LBW showed an upward trend from 1986 to 1990; a peak was observed in 1990 at the height of the war, but rates fell in 1991. Infants born with weights of 2500 to 2999 grams represented about a quarter of live births, although the mean birth weight was higher. The length of gestation was associated with birth weight. More information is needed regarding birth weights at the country level. This would require elimination of the problem of nonhospital births and improvement of the registration system for vital events and of prenatal records

Parental bias in expression and interaction of genes in the equine placenta

Most autosomal genes in the placenta show a biallelic expression pattern. However, some genes exhibit allele-specific transcription depending on the parental origin of the chromosomes on which the copy of the gene resides. Parentally expressed genes are involved in the reciprocal interaction between maternal and paternal genes, coordinating the allocation of resources between fetus and mother. One of the main challenges of studying parental-specific allelic expression (allele-specific expression [ASE]) in the placenta is the maternal cellular remnant at the fetomaternal interface. Horses (Equus caballus) have an epitheliochorial placenta in which both the endometrial epithelium and the epithelium of the chorionic villi are juxtaposed with minimal extension into the uterine mucosa, yet there is no information available on the allelic gene expression of equine chorioallantois (CA). In the current study, we present a dataset of 1,336 genes showing ASE in the equine CA (https://pouya-dini.github.io/equine-gene-db/) along with a workflow for analyzing ASE genes. We further identified 254 potentially imprinted genes among the parentally expressed genes in the equine CA and evaluated the expression pattern of these genes throughout gestation. Our gene ontology analysis implies that maternally expressed genes tend to decrease the length of gestation, while paternally expressed genes extend the length of gestation. This study provides fundamental information regarding parental gene expression during equine pregnancy, a species with a negligible amount of maternal cellular remnant in its placenta. This information will provide the basis for a better understanding of the role of parental gene expression in the placenta during gestation.

Effect of Maternal Betaine Supplementation on Growth, Plane of Nutrition, Blood Biochemical Profile and Antioxidant Status of Progeny Pigs

Background: Dietary supplementation of methyl donors like vitamins B9, B12, choline and betaine have been reported to reduce oxidative stress not only in sows but can also reduce oxidative stress in offspring through epigenetic modulation of DNA. However, cell proliferation and fetal development and oxidative stress associated with it is not uniform during the whole length of gestation. Hence this experiment was conducted to study the effects of maternal betaine supplementation on growth, plane of nutrition and antioxidant profile of progeny pigs.Methods: Eighteen crossbred (Landrace X Desi) sows were randomly distributed into three groups of six each in an experiment based on completely randomized design (CRD). The sows in control (T0) were fed standard ration to meet their requirements. Supplementary betaine at 3 g/kg DM were provided either during late pregnancy (d 76 onwards till parturition) only or throughout the length of gestation to the sows of groups T1 and T2, respectively. The samples of feed offered, residue and faeces were analyzed for proximate principles following the standard procedures. Blood samples from the progeny piglets were collected and antioxidant status of the piglets assessed by the measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) by using standard kits.Result: The serum concentration of SOD was comparable (p greater than 0.05) among the groups, whereas serum concentration of catalase was higher (p less than 0.05) in piglets born to the dam exposed to supplementary beanie during gestation, the best response was observed whilst betaine was supplemented in the maternal diets during the whole length of gestation It was concluded that supplementation of betaine at 3g/kg in the diet of pregnant sows improved the antioxidant capacity of piglets borne to them.

Related Factors For Preterm Birth in Twins After Single Intrauterine Death：a case control study

Background Single intrauterine death in twin pregnancy has become a relatively frequent complication of twin pregnancy. Preterm delivery is one of the complications with high incidence, and is closely related to the prognosis of the surviving fetus. However, studies about preterm delivery related to single intrauterine death are limited. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the factors associated with preterm birth in twins after single intrauterine death.Methods This was a case-control study of single intrauterine death in twins delivered at Shengjing Hospital over a 12-year period, from January 1, 2008, to November 30, 2020. We classified these cases into the preterm birth group and full-term birth group according to gestational age at birth. We selected age, gestational age at Single intrauterine death, and parity, etc, as related factors of the preterm birth group. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the relevance and importance of related factors and their association with preterm birth. We divided the preterm birth group into four smaller groups according to gestational age at single intrauterine death (14-19 weeks, 20-24 weeks, 25-30 weeks, and 31-36 weeks) and compared them. To exclude human intervention, we analyzed the spontaneous delivery cases as well.Results The analysis included 175 twins (mean [SD] gestational age at single intrauterine death, 27.0 [5.8] weeks; mean [SD] gestational age at birth, 33.8 [3.2] weeks ) with single intrauterine death. A total of 139 (79.4%) were cases of preterm birth. A significant risk factor associated with preterm birth was gestational age at single intrauterine death (odds ratio [OR], 2.89; 95% CI, 1.90-4.39). We found that the 14- to 19-week age group had the oldest gestational age at birth (37.25 [1.29]weeks ). The length of gestation in 14-19 weeks group, 20-24 weeks group, 25-30 weeks group and 31-36 weeks group were 20.5 weeks, 11.0 weeks, 4.77 weeks and 1.12 weeks respectivelyConclusion The fetus’ gestational age at single intrauterine death was a risk factor for preterm birth in their twin. The length of gestation was inversely proportional to increasing gestational age at single intrauterine death.

Effect of Omega-3 Supplementation in Pregnant Women with Obesity on Newborn Body Composition, Growth and Length of Gestation: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Maternal obesity, a state of chronic low-grade metabolic inflammation, is a growing health burden associated with offspring adiposity, abnormal fetal growth and prematurity, which are all linked to adverse offspring cardiometabolic health. Higher intake of anti-inflammatory omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in pregnancy has been associated with lower adiposity, higher birthweight and longer gestation. However, the effects of n-3 supplementation specifically in pregnant women with overweight and obesity (OWOB) have not been explored. We conducted a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial of 72 pregnant women with first trimester body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 to explore preliminary efficacy of n-3 supplementation. Participants were randomized to daily DHA plus EPA (2 g/d) or placebo (wheat germ oil) from 10–16 weeks gestation to delivery. Neonatal body composition, fetal growth and length of gestation were assessed. For the 48 dyads with outcome data, median (IQR) maternal BMI was 30.2 (28.2, 35.4) kg/m2. In sex-adjusted analyses, n-3 supplementation was associated with higher neonatal fat-free mass (β: 218 g; 95% CI 49, 387) but not with % body fat or fat mass. Birthweight for gestational age z-score (−0.17 ± 0.67 vs. −0.61 ± 0.61 SD unit, p = 0.02) was higher, and gestation longer (40 (38.5, 40.1) vs. 39 (38, 39.4) weeks, p = 0.02), in the treatment vs. placebo group. Supplementation with n-3 PUFA in women with OWOB led to higher lean mass accrual at birth as well as improved fetal growth and longer gestation. Larger well-powered trials of n-3 PUFA supplementation specifically in pregnant women with OWOB should be conducted to confirm these findings and explore the long-term impact on offspring obesity and cardiometabolic health.

EFFECT OF BAROMETRIC PRESSURE ON GESTATION LENGTH IN COWS

In an effort to determine the effects of barometric pressure on the length of gestation in cattle, two sets of data on calving dates with their corresponding barometric pressure readings were evaluated statistically. The first set of data were from three herds (367 calves), and were collected for two different periods - fall of 1979 and spring of 1980. Chi-square was used to test for significance. Result indicated that there was no significant difference between the rate of parturition in cattle and changes in barometric pressure (X2 = 7.331, df = 2, P 0.05). The second set of data were on the length of gestation for two herds (94 calves) of different breeds. The cows were artificially inseminated. Multiple regression was performed between (Y variables) the deviation of each gestation length from 283 days i.e. the average gestation length of cattle and X Variables, the average barometric pressures during four six - hour periods on days of parturition and for three days prepartum (1:00 - 6:00 a.m. day of birth; 6:00 – 12:00 p.m. DB; 12:00 6:00 p.m. DB; 6:00 - 12:00 a.m. DB; 6:00 – 12:00 a.m. D3).

Safety evaluation of a novel topical combination of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel, in reproducing female cats

NexGard® Combo, a novel topical endectoparasiticide product for cats, is a combination of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel. The safety of this novel combination administered to females during reproduction and lactation was evaluated per analysis of breeding parameters and adverse reactions observed on females and offspring. Females with successful breeding history were randomized to three groups, a placebo group and groups treated with the novel formulation at 1× or 3× multiples of the maximum exposure dose. Females were dosed at 28-day intervals, at least twice before mating, then during a period including mating, pregnancy, whelping and 56 days of lactation. In the placebo, 1× and 3× groups, 10, 9 and 10 females, respectively completed the study (nine, seven and nine females achieved pregnancy), and were dosed 7.1 times on average. Breeding parameters included success of mating, success of gestation, length of gestation, abortion rate, number of live, dead and stillborn kittens at birth, number of kittens with abnormalities, weight of kittens after birth and at weaning, growth of kittens, proportion of male and female kittens, and proportion of kittens born alive and weaned. No significant adverse reactions related to the novel combination were observed on females and on kittens; no significant and adverse effects on breeding parameters were observed.