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1.
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of uterine crowding on available uterine space per fetus and fetal development at 18 days of gestation in unilaterally ovariectomized and intact does from the sixth generation of a divergent selection experiment on uterine capacity. Uterine capacity was estimated as litter size in unilaterally ovariectomized (ULO) does. Records from 37 ULO and 26 intact does were used. All does were slaughtered on d 18 of gestation. Ovulation rate per side in ULO does was almost twice as much as intact does (12.41 ova vs. 6.47 ova, P < 0.001). ULO does showed higher intrauterine crowding at implantation than intact does (9.36 implanted embryos/uterine horn vs. 5.31 implanted embryos/uterine horn, P < 0.001) and a lower available uterine space per live fetus (3.60 cm vs. 4.44 cm, P < 0.001). The available uterine space per embryo decreased quadratically with the number of implanted embryos (b1 = − 2.46 ± 0.18, b2 = 0.13 ± 0.01), and showed a negative linear regression coefficient with number of dead fetuses (− 0.18 ± 0.08). The available uterine space affects quadratically the development of the maternal placenta, and to a lesser extent is linearly related to the development of the fetus and its fetal placenta. The coefficients of these regressions were higher in ULO does than intact does, due to the higher degree of uterine overcrowding in these females.

Although the fetal position within the uterus did not affect the proportion of dead embryos, the uterine position could affect the survival of fetuses with a lower available uterine space. A poor blood supply had a negative effect on survival of the fetus and its development. Probability of death for fetuses with placenta receiving less than 3 blood vessels was higher than those receiving more than 3 blood vessels in both ULO and intact does (75.61% vs. 7.32%). Probability of survival asymptotically increases with available uterine space, as a result of the greater availability of uterine space which allows more blood vessels to reach each implantation site. The uterine overcrowding of ULO does was therefore associated with less uterine space and blood supply available at each implantation site, which could be related to higher fetal mortality in these females. Blood supply also affects fetal development. The implantation sites receiving less than 3 blood vessels showed lighter placentas (1.31 g vs. 1.41 g, P < 0.05) and fetuses (2.02 g vs. 2.12 g, P < 0.05) than those receiving more than 3 blood vessels in both ULO and intact does. These results suggest that available uterine space is a limitation component of fetal survival, which is related to an adequate vascular supply for nutrient exchange from the maternal to fetal blood streams and an adequate surface area for development of the placenta.  相似文献   


2.
This study investigated the body composition and metabolic status of twin- and triplet-bearing ewes and their fetuses in late pregnancy. The aim was to identify factors that could explain the lower survival rates of triplet lambs compared with twin lambs. Ten twin- and 10 triplet-bearing ewes and their fetuses were euthanased on either day 139 or 140 of pregnancy and fetal and placental measurements recorded. The weights of the gravid uterus (P < 0.01) and mammary gland (P < 0.05) were significantly heavier (although not proportionally), in triplet-bearing than twin-bearing ewes (21.10 vs. 16.85 and 1.08 vs. 0.80 kg respectively). There were no other differences in the weight of ewe organs or in metabolite concentrations. The number of cotyledons per triplet fetus was significantly (P < 0.001) less compared to twins although this was countered by a tendency for greater (P = 0.05) individual cotyledon weight, resulting in no differences in either total fetal membrane plus cotyledon or total cotyledon weights.

The absolute weight of many organs were significantly (P < 0.05) heavier in twin fetuses than in triplet fetuses. However, after correction for fetal body weight the only differences observed were significantly (P < 0.05) lighter, by approximately 10%, semitendinosus muscle, liver and heart weights in triplet compared to twin fetuses (6.2 vs. 5.6, 88.9 vs. 80.4, 33 vs. 30 g respectively). The fetal fructose concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in triplet than in twin fetuses.

The mean weight of the lightest triplet fetus within each triplet set was 31% lighter than that of the heaviest triplet (P < 0.05), resulting in significantly (P < 0.05) lighter absolute weights of most fetal measurements taken. However, after correction for fetal body weight these differences disappeared. Within twin sets, the mean weight of the lightest fetus was only 16% lighter (P < 0.05) than its heavier counterpart but there were no significant differences in absolute organ weights. When corrected for fetal body weight, the lightest twin fetus had significantly (P = 0.05) greater kidney weights and tended to have heavier heart (P = 0.07) and lungs (P = 0.07). It is unknown why the relative organ weight relationships between the heaviest and lightest differ between twin and triplet fetuses.

In conclusion this study has identified three factors which may contribute to the lower survival rates observed in triplet-compared to twin-born lambs; low fructose concentrations, lighter fetal weights, especially in one fetus within each triplet set, and maternal mammary gland increases that are not proportional to the increase in numbers of fetuses. While these findings are not novel, there were no other factors identified that could account the lower survival rates reported in triplet-born lambs compared to twins. The other only other significant differences identified were the proportionally lighter livers and hearts in triplets although the possible effects of these on survival is unknown.  相似文献   


3.
Ovine placental lactogen (oPL) exerts actions in sheep and rodent fetal tissues that growth hormone (GH) does not. However, in postnatal tissues, both oPL and GH possess these activities. Although a high-affinity binding site for oPL in ovine fetal liver has been reported, some investigators believe this to be the GH receptor. It was our objective to discriminate between oPL and GH binding to fetal liver microsomes using competitive saturation analyses. Microsomal membranes from fetal liver (Days 60, 90, 105, 120, and 135 of gestation) and postnatal liver (1 wk of age) were incubated with increasing amounts of [125I]oPL in the absence or presence of a 100-fold molar excess of unlabeled oPL. Saturable binding of [125I]oPL was observed with fetal liver and postnatal liver microsomes. The Kd of the oPL-binding site in fetal liver was 122.1 ± 8.2 pM (mean ± standard error), and receptor concentrations remained relatively constant (9.8 ± 1.1 fmol/mg of membrane protein) across gestation. The highest concentration of oPL binding was detected in 1-wk postnatal liver microsomes (53.0 fmol/mg of membrane protein). Saturation analyses using [125I]GH and [125I] prolactin (PRL) were also conducted with fetal liver membrane preparations. Although specific binding for these two radiolabeled ligands was observed in control tissues, no specific binding was observed in fetal liver. These data are in agreement with earlier reports that a high-affinity binding site for oPL exists in fetal tissues. The fact that saturable binding could not be demonstrated for either GH or PRL with fetal liver microsomes contradicts recent suggestions that oPL is binding the GH receptor.  相似文献   

4.
Simultaneous fetal and maternal ovine placental lactogen (oPL) and prolactin (oPRL) measurements were determined from blood samples collected from six mixed breed (MB; gestation = 141.5 +/- .7 d) pregnancies and single Rambouillet (n = 2; Ra gestation = 148 and 149 d) and Finnish Landrace (n = 2; Finn gestation = 141 and 143 d) pregnancies for the purpose of examining a possible relationship between fetal-maternal oPL and oPRL levels in the prepartal period. The MB pregnancies were produced by embryo transfer and consisted of genetically different fetuses co-existing in a common uterine environment. Despite the apparent prematurity of Ra co-twins in MB pregnancies, similar oPL and oPRL patterns during the final 14 d of gestation were observed for both Ra and Finn co-twins. Fetal oPL levels decreased at parturition (range 23 to 90 ng/ml) to approximately 60% of values recorded 8 d prepartum (range 100 to 150 ng/ml) in both fetal siblings. Increases in fetal oPRL concentrations, first observed at approximately 4 d prepartum in all fetuses, reached peak concentrations (40 to 60 ng/ml) at term. Results of this study suggest a similarity in regulation of fetal oPL and oPRL secretion, despite genetic differences for gestation period, in fetuses in the M.B. pregnancy.  相似文献   

5.
Two-year-old crossbred beef heifers were used to test the effects of porcine relaxin (pRelaxin) alone, or in combination with dexamethasone, on the induction of parturition, the incidence of dystocia, and retained placentas. Effects of treatment on pelvic area, postpartum interval, milk production, colostrum quality, calf birth weight, calf vigor, and calf performance were also evaluated. On Day 275 of gestation, heifers from two fetal-sire groups were randomly assigned to one of four groups in a 2 × 2 factorial design and received: no treatment (controls, N = 19), 20 mg of dexamethasone intramuscularly (im) (n = 22), 5 mg of pRelaxin (3,000 U/mg) im (n = 19), or 20 mg of dexamethasone plus 5 mg of pRelaxin (n = 17). Length of gestation (in days) was less (P < 0.05) in heifers treated with dexamethasone (279.8 ± 1.0) than in controls (286.6 ± 0.9), but was not influenced (P > 0.05) by treatment with pRelaxin. The incidence of retained placentas in heifers treated only with dexamethasone (27.3%) was not reduced by concomitant treatment with pRelaxin (35.3%). Retained placentas were not observed in any control heifers and in only one heifer (5.2%) treated solely with pRelaxin. Ease of calving (1 = unassisted, 5 = abnormal presentation) was not influenced by treatment (P > 0.05), even though birth weights (in kilograms) of calves from heifers treated with dexamethasone (36.4 ± 0.8) were less (P < .01) than those of calves from nondexamethasone-treated heifers (39.2 ± 0.8). Dexamethasone tended to reduce (P < 0.07) calf vigor (1 = healthy and strong, 5 = dead on arrival; 1.48 ± 0.11 vs. 1.18 ± 0.11), but was not (P > 0.05) influenced by pRelaxin. The duration of the postpartum anestrous interval (73.1 ± 1.8 d across groups) and pelvic areas following treatment and parturition were not influenced (P > 0.05) by dexamethasone or pRelaxin. Although determinants of colostrum quality (P < 0.01) and quantity (P < 0.08) of milk produced were influenced by dexamethasone, adjusted 205-d weights of calves did not differ (P > 0.05) among groups. In conclusion, treatment with pRelaxin alone failed to induce parturition or, when combined with dexamethasone, to reduce the incidence of retained placentas.  相似文献   

6.
Concentrations of ovine placental lactogen (oPL) were measured in the peripheral plasma of six ewes after the removal of fetuses (in four ewes) or after the intrauterine death of one of twin fetuses (in two ewes). Concentrations of oPL decreased after fetectomy or intrauterine fetal death, indicating that a living fetus is essential to the sustained secretion of oPL.  相似文献   

7.
Our previous studies demonstrated that prenatal in utero growth restriction impairs postnatal intestinal function.Thus,improving postpartal intestinal absorption capacity and growth by manipulating the maternal diet prepartum is of importance.This work was conducted to determine whether supplementation of N-carbamylglutamate(NCG)or rumen-protected L-arginine(RP-Arg)increased fetal intestinal amino acid(AA)profiles in intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR)fetuses.On d 35 of gestation,Hu ewes(n=32)carrying twin fetuses were randomized into 4 groups(8 ewes and 16 fetuses in each group),where diets were as follows:100%of nutrient requirements recommended by National Research Council(NRC,2007)(CON);50%of nutrient requirements recommended by NRC(2007)(RES);RES+RPArg(20 g/d),(RES+ARG);and RES+NCG(5 g/d),(RES+NCG).On d 110 of gestation,both fetal and maternal tissues were collected and weighed.Compared with RES,solute carrier family 1,member 5(SLC1A5)was upregulated(P<0.05)within fetal jejunum,duodenum and ileum when supplementing NCG and RP-Arg.Relative to RES,RP-Arg or NCG supplementation to RES resulted in upregulation(P<0.05)of peptide transporter 1 protein abundance within the fetal ileum.NCG or RP-Arg supplementation to RES also upregulated phosphorylated mechanistic target of rapamycin(pmTOR)-to-mTOR ratio in the fetal ileum induced by IUGR(P<0.05).As a result,during IUGR,supplementation of Arg or NCG affected intestinal AA profiles in the fetus in part through controlling mTOR signal transduction as well as AA and peptide transport.Future studies should be conducted to understand the role(if any)of the placenta on the improvement of growth and AA profiles independent of the fetal intestine.This would help demonstrate the relative contribution of intestinal uptake in fetal life.  相似文献   

8.
Factors associated with incidence of mummified fetuses at 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 wk of gestation were determined in a cross-sectional design involving 209 pregnant pigs. Percentage of observed mummies increased from 2.1 to 12.2% as gestation progressed. Incidence of mummies at 7 wk of gestation was not different between litters of nine fetuses or fewer and those of 10 fetuses or more. During the period of 7 to 15 wk of gestation, the incidence of mummies remained constant at about 1% in litters of nine fetuses or fewer, whereas in litters of 10 fetuses or more the incidence increased linearly from 1 to 12% (P less than .01). In litters of nine fetuses or fewer, a mummy occupied no less space than a live fetus until 13 wk of gestation. In litters of 10 fetuses or more, a mummy occupied less space than did a live fetus after 7 wk of gestation. An increase in the incidence of mummies in larger litters was associated with uterine space per fetus below that needed for development and survival. The 12% fetal loss in late gestation was associated with less uterine space per fetus. Length of uterine horns, litter size and stage of gestation together accounted for 12% of the variation in incidence of mummies (P less than .001). A longer uterus had greater space per fetus, a larger number of live fetuses and a lower incidence of mummies.  相似文献   

9.
The concentration of ovine placental lactogen (oPL) in maternal plasma varies with litter size and nutritional status, making it difficult to compare these concentrations across studies. In this study, 27 Dorset and Finn-Dorset crossbred ewes with litters of known size and gestational age were used to relate concentrations of oPL in maternal plasma to placental and fetal weights. Fetal oPL concentrations also were correlated to these variables in 12 chronically catheterized singleton fetuses. The concentration of oPL in maternal plasma increased with increasing placental weight across litter sizes ranging from 1 to 3 (r = .716). When expressed per gram of placenta, oPL was greater (P less than .05) in those ewes carrying multiple fetuses. There was no correlation between maternal and fetal oPL in time-matched samples or in average values between individuals for ewes carrying singleton pregnancies. Within the singleton group, placental weight and fetal weight were well correlated (r = .761), as were the concentration of fetal plasma oPL and fetal weight (r = .699). Placental weight plus fetal oPL could explain 81% of the variation seen in fetal weight. These results imply that maternal and fetal oPL release are controlled independently and that fetal oPL affects fetal growth by a mechanism not directly related to placental size.  相似文献   

10.
Maternal nutrient restriction leads to alteration in fetal adipose tissue, and offspring from obese mothers have an increased risk of developing obesity. We hypothesized that maternal obesity increases fetal adipogenesis. Multiparous ewes (Columbia/Rambouillet cross 3 to 5 yr of age) carrying twins were assigned to a diet of 100% (Control; CON; n = 4) or 150% (Obese; OB, n = 7) of NRC maintenance requirements from 60 d before conception until necropsy on d 135 of gestation. Maternal and fetal plasma were collected and stored at -80°C for glucose and hormone analyses. Fetal measurements were made at necropsy, and perirenal, pericardial, and subcutaneous adipose tissues were collected from 7 male twin fetuses per group and snap frozen at -80°C. Protein and mRNA expression of fatty acid translocase [cluster of differentiation (CD) 36], fatty acid transport proteins (FATP) 1 and 4, insulin-sensitive glucose transporter (GLUT-4), fatty acid synthase (FASN), and acetyl-coA carboxylase (ACC) was evaluated. Fetal weight was similar, but fetal carcass weight (FCW) was reduced (P < 0.05) in OB versus CON fetuses. Pericardial and perirenal adipose tissue weights were increased (P < 0.05) as a percentage of FCW in OB versus CON fetuses, as was subcutaneous fat thickness (P < 0.001). Average adipocyte diameter was greater (P < 0.01) in the perirenal fat and the pericardial fat (P = 0.06) in OB fetuses compared with CON fetuses. Maternal plasma showed no difference (P > 0.05) in glucose or other hormones, fetal plasma glucose was similar (P = 0.42), and cortisol, IGF-1, and thyroxine were reduced (P ≤ 0.05) in OB fetuses compared with CON fetuses. Protein and mRNA expression of CD 36, FATP 1 and 4, and GLUT-4 were increased (P ≤ 0.05) in all fetal adipose depots in OB versus CON fetuses. The mRNA expression of FASN and ACC was increased (P < 0.05) in OB vs. CON fetuses in all 3 fetal adipose tissue depots. Fatty acid concentrations were increased (P = 0.01) in the perirenal depot of OB versus CON fetuses, and specific fatty acid concentrations were altered (P < 0.05) in subcutaneous and pericardial adipose tissue because of maternal obesity. In conclusion, maternal obesity was associated with increased fetal adiposity, increased fatty acid and glucose transporters, and increased expression of enzymes mediating fatty acid biosynthesis in adipose depots. These alterations, if maintained into the postnatal period, could predispose the offspring to later obesity and metabolic disease.  相似文献   

11.
Pure-bred embryos were transferred within and reciprocally between large (Suffolk) and small (Cheviot) breeds of sheep to establish 4 treatment groups: SinS (Suffolk embryos in Suffolk dams), SinC (Suffolk embryos in Cheviot dams), CinS (Cheviot embryos in Suffolk dams), and CinC (Cheviot embryos in Cheviot dams). The recipient ewes carried single fetuses to term. The maternal plasma concentrations of ovine placental lactogen (oPL), progesterone, IGF-1, FFA, and glucose were measured on d 50, 90, 120, and 140 of pregnancy. Birth weight, body dimensions, and placental characteristics of lambs were recorded at birth. There was a recipient ewe breed × lamb breed × time interaction for the concentration of oPL (P = 0.03), but no such interaction was observed for progesterone (P = 0.42), IGF-1 (P = 0.57), glucose (P = 0.36), or FFA (P = 0.72). There were no differences in oPL (P = 0.28) and progesterone (P = 0.34) concentrations between SinC and SinS ewes. The concentrations of FFA on d 140 (P = 0.008), and those of glucose on d 50 (P = 0.02) and 120 (P = 0.01), were greater in SinC ewes than in SinS ewes. The ewes in CinS had less FFA concentration (P = 0.002) at all time points than CinC ewes. The concentrations of IGF-1 on d 90 were greater (P = 0.004) in CinS ewes than CinC ewes, but did not differ (P = 0.16) on d 50, 120, and 140. The concentrations of glucose on d 50 (P = 0.001), 90 (P = 0.03), and 140 (P = 0.03) were less in CinS ewes compared with CinC ewes. The birth weight of SinC lambs (5.04 ± 0.20 kg) was lighter (P = 0.001) than SinS lambs (5.94 ± 0.19 kg), and body dimensions of SinC lambs were smaller (P = 0.01) than SinS lambs. Neither birth weight nor the body dimensions of CinS lambs differed (P = 0.24) from CinC lambs. Cotyledon number was reduced (P = 0.04) in the CinS (57.5 ± 6.3) compared with the SinS group (74.2 ± 5.9), whereas mean cotyledon weight in CinS (2.42 ± 0.20 g) was greater (P = 0.02) than SinS (1.74 ± 0.21 g). It was concluded that the large genotype lambs were lighter and smaller when born to small genotype dams; however, the birth weight or body dimensions of small genotype lambs did not differ when born to large genotype dams. This study suggests that plasma oPL, progesterone, IGF-1, FFA, and glucose concentrations at different times throughout pregnancy reflect the regulatory effect of the uterine environment on the development of the fetus.  相似文献   

12.
The aim of this study was to investigate whether uterine capacity (UC) in rabbits was related to uterine horn length and weight and whether these uterine traits and vascular supply were related to fetal development and survival. Data from 48 unilaterally ovariectomized (ULO) does of the High and 52 ULO does of the Low UC lines of a divergent selection experiment on UC were used. Does were slaughtered on d 25 of fifth gestation. The High line showed higher ovarian weight (0.08 g, P < 0.05) linked to a higher ovulation rate (1 ovum, P < 0.05) and greater length of the empty uterine horn. There were no differences between lines in the remaining doe traits. The number of implanted embryos and live fetuses, fetal survival, and uterine weight and length were positively associated and explained most of the observed variation. Average weights of the live fetuses and their fetal and maternal placentae were not related to uterine weight and length. The linear regression coefficient of full uterine horn length on the number of live fetuses was 2.43 +/- 0.21. The weight of the full uterine horn showed a small quadratic relationship (P < 0.05) with the number of live fetuses. Full uterine horn length, after adjusting for the number of embryos, was negatively associated (P < 0.001) with the number of dead fetuses. The linear regression coefficient of average fetal placental weight of the live fetuses on number of implanted embryos was higher (P < 0.10) in the Low line (-0.23 +/- 0.04 vs. -0.12 +/- 0.04). The linear regression coefficient of average weight of the live fetuses on the average weight of their fetal placentae was higher (P < 0.10) in the High line (2.56 +/- 0.47 vs. 1.27 +/- 0.57). The High line was more efficient, most likely because an increase in intrauterine crowding has a lesser effect on the development of fetal placentae and fetuses. The fetal position within the uterus did not affect the proportion of dead embryos. Fetuses with placentae receiving a single blood vessel had a higher probability of death (P < 0.001) and the lowest weight. There was no difference between lines for individual weight of the live fetuses, but the High line showed higher individual weights of fetal (P < 0.01) and maternal placentae (P < 0.10). Live fetuses in the midportion of the uterus were lighter in weight (P < 0.05) than in the oviductal and cervical regions (20.3 vs. 21.6 and 21.7g). Increasing uterine capacity increases uterine length and decreases weights of fetus and fetal placenta in rabbits.  相似文献   

13.
The relationships between placental lactogen (PL), insulin-like growth factor (IGF) -1 and -2, insulin, glucose and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were studied in 10 triplet-bearing ewes in late gestation (120-129 days) which were on ad libitum feeding. To extend the range of plasma metabolite concentrations the ewes received a continuous abomasal infusion from 100 days of gestation until delivery. Three were infused with glucose (160 g/day), 2 received sodium caseinate and 3 were infused with control fluid alone. From 120 days the animals were fed 3 hourly intervals from a belt feeder to achieve steady state and at 125-130 days had intravenous plasma samples pooled for analysis. There was no effect of nutritional supplementation on birth weight. Casein supplementation was associated with reduced maternal PL concentrations but glucose supplementation had no effect on PL concentrations. Circulating PL concentrations showed a positive correlation to IGF-2 activity (r = 0.64, P less than 0.05) and a negative relation to IGF-1 concentrations (r = -0.73, P less than 0.05). IGF-1 levels were higher (P less than 0.05) and IGF-2 levels were lower (P less than 0.05) in nutritionally supplemented ewes. In the ewe, NEFA concentrations showed a negative relationship to IGF-1 (r = -0.75, P less than 0.05) and a positive relationship with IGF-2 (r = 0.87, P less than 0.1). Similar relationships were observed in the ewe at term. These observations suggest that nutritional factors and PL may be important determinants of IGF-2 secretion in the late-gestation ewe. They suggest the possibility that IGF-2 mediates the lipolytic effects of PL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)  相似文献   

14.
To determine the effects of maternal Se intake and plane of nutrition during mid or late gestation or both on AA concentrations and metabolite concentrations in the dam and fetus, pregnant ewe lambs (n = 64) were assigned to 1 of 8 treatments arranged in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial array: Se level [initiated at breeding; adequate (ASe; 3.05 μg/kg of BW) or high (HSe; 70.4 μg/kg of BW)] and nutritional level [100% (control; CON) or 60% (restricted; RES) of NRC recommendations] fed at different times of gestation [d 50 to 90 (mid) or d 91 to 132 (late)]. A blood sample was obtained from each ewe and fetus on d 132 of gestation and used to measure circulating concentrations of glucose, NEFA, blood urea N, and AA. The late RES ewes and their fetuses had less (P ≤ 0.03) circulating glucose compared with late CON ewes and fetuses at d 132; however, no effect (P ≥ 0.14) of diet on the fetal:maternal glucose concentration ratio was observed. Late RES ewes had a smaller (P = 0.01) fetal:maternal NEFA ratio compared with late CON ewes. Ewes fed ASe had a greater (P = 0.01) fetal:maternal blood urea N ratio compared with HSe ewes. Fetal:maternal ratios of total circulating AA, total essential AA, and total nonessential AA were each affected (P ≤ 0.03) by the combination of Se treatment and late gestation nutritional level.  相似文献   

15.
Fetal intrauterine position relative to the sex of adjacent fetuses has an effect on reproductive performance in rodents. An experiment was conducted to determine whether sex of adjacent fetuses in utero has an influence on fetal and placental weights and whether the hormonal mechanisms documented in rodents are similar in fetal pigs. Sows were slaughtered at 70.1 +/- 1.7 d (n = 123) and 104.5 +/- .05 d (n = 135) of gestation. The fetuses and placentas were removed from the uterus and the position and sex of each fetus was recorded to indicate whether the fetus was between two males, two females, or a male and a female. Fetal blood was sampled for later hormonal analysis. At 70 d of gestation, male fetal and placental weights were heavier than those of females (P less than .05), but no differences were detected relative to the sex of adjacent fetuses. At 104 d of gestation, a fetus surrounded on each side in utero by fetuses of the opposite sex (two males or two females) was lighter in weight than a fetus surrounded by fetuses of the same sex (P less than .01). Differences in fetal weight due to the sex of adjacent fetuses were not related to placental function because placental weights were generally not different at 104 d of gestation. By 104 d of gestation, most placentas were not separated by necrotic regions and were in close apposition with surrounding placentas. No differences in growth or development could be related to hormonal effects (testosterone, estrone, or estrone sulfate) from surrounding fetuses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)  相似文献   

16.
To determine the effect of breed and estradiol-17β on selected hormones and metabolites, ovariectomized (3 mo) Angus (n = 14) and Brahman (n = 12) cows were paired by age and body weight and randomly assigned as either nonimplanted controls (CON) or implanted with estradiol (E2) for 45 d. After Day 7 and through Day 42, plasma concentration of somatotropin was greater for E2 than CON cows (treatment X day, P < 0.05). During an intensive blood sampling on Day 36, E2 cows tended (P < 0.10) to have greater somatotropin pulse amplitudes than CON cows, but other parameters of somatotropin release were not affected (P > 0.10) by E2 treatment. The effect of breed was apparent on Day 36 as Brahman cows had greater (P < 0.05) somatotropin pulse amplitude, basal secretion, and mean concentration than Angus cows. Overall, plasma concentration of IGF-I was greater (P < 0.01) for E2 than CON cows (158.3 vs. 104.2 ng/ml) and was greater for Brahman than Angus cows (164.1 vs. 98.4 ng/ml). However, there was a trend (P < 0.10) for a treatment X breed X day interaction for IGF-I (i.e., the magnitude of increase in IGF-I concentration was greater in E2-Angus than E2-Brahman cows). After Day 7 and through Day 42, total plasma IGF binding protein (IGFBP) activity was greater (P < 0.01) for E2 than CON cows. Ligand blotting revealed at least five forms of IGFBP activity, and E2 cows had greater (P < 0.05) binding activity of IGFBP-3 and the 30- and 32-kDa IGFBP than CON cows. Brahman cows had greater (P < 0.05) IGFBP-3 and the 32-kDa IGFBP than Angus cows. After Day 14 and through Day 42, concentration of urea nitrogen (PUN) was greater (P < 0.001) for CON than E2 cows (treatment X day, P < 0.001). Brahman had greater (P < 0.01) PUN than Angus cows (16.6 vs. 14.2 mg/dl). Plasma concentration of glucose was greater (P < 0.01) for E2 than CON cows (78.9 vs. 76.4 mg/dl) but was not affected (P > 0.10) by breed. In summary, these data suggest that some, but not all, of the positive effects of estradiol on peripheral concentration of IGF-I and IGFBP activity can be attributed to increased somatotropin. Moreover, breed influenced basal and E2-induced secretion of somatotropin and IGF-I such that differences between Brahman and Angus cows in plasma IGF-I concentrations were abated within 3 wk of estradiol implantation. Thus, breed influences the metabolite and hormonal response of cattle to estrogenic implants.  相似文献   

17.
The biochemical properties of ovine placental lactogen (oPL) have been previously determined following purification, which has yielded various results. To clarify the properties of oPL prior to purification, oPL was examined in solubilized fetal cotyledonary tissue (d 100 of gestation) or conditioned culture medium by electrophoretic, immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation techniques. In cotyledonary tissue or conditioned culture medium, oPL has an apparent molecular weight (Mr) of 22,000 with an isoelectric point (pI) of 9.2. Incorporation of [3H]-glucosamine or [3H]-mannose into immunoreactive oPL could not be detected, nor did the presence of tunicamycin in explant culture medium alter the apparent Mr of oPL. In vitro translation of d 100 fetal cotyledonary mRNA, followed by immunoprecipitation, provided evidence that pre-oPL has an apparent Mr of 25,000. The size of oPL mRNA was determined to be approximately 1,350 base pairs by Northern hybridization procedures using an oligonucleotide probe which was generated from oPL amino acid sequence data. These experiments suggest that the only intracellular processing oPL undergoes is removal of a amino-terminal signal sequence. We conclude that oPL is synthesized and secreted as a single nonglycosylated-basic protein, at a time during gestation when circulating oPL is elevated.  相似文献   

18.
The objectives of this study were to characterize the quantitative changes in various body tissues of high-lean type gilts during gestation and to determine the protein needs of pregnant gilts based on changes in tissue contents. Thirty-five gilts (158.2 +/- 8.3 kg) were housed in individual gestation crates with six unbred gilts randomly selected and slaughtered to provide data for d 0 of gestation. The remaining gilts were bred and assigned randomly to one of six slaughter groups: d 45, 60, 75, 90, 102, and 112. Gilts were fed 2 kg (as-fed basis) of gestation diet daily (3.1 Mcal/kg of ME and 0.56% lysine). Carcass soft tissue, bone, gastrointestinal tract, spleen, pancreas, kidney, liver, uterus, fetus, mammary gland, and the remaining viscera were separated and weighed. Carcass soft tissue, liver, remaining viscera, uterus, and gastrointestinal tract were ground, freeze-dried, and analyzed for composition. Body weights of the gilts increased quadratically (P < 0.001) during gestation. Weights of carcass soft tissue and uterus, including placenta, increased linearly (P < 0.001) during gestation. Weights of individual fetuses, fetal litters, individual mammary glands, and the entire mammary glands increased cubically (P < 0.001) during gestation. Crude protein in carcass soft tissue increased cubically (P < 0.01), whereas DM and ether extract (EE) in carcass soft tissue increased linearly (P < 0.01). The DM, CP, and EE in the entire mammary glands increased quadratically (P < 0.001) during gestation. The DM, CP, and EE in fetal litter increased cubically (P < 0.01) as gestation progressed. The accretion rates of the conceptus, fetal litter, individual fetus, individual mammary gland, and CP in fetal litter differed (P < 0.05) before and after d 70 of gestation. The CP daily gain from all maternal and fetal tissues was 40 and 103 g/d before and after d 70 of gestation, respectively, suggesting that pregnant gilts may require different quantities of dietary protein during gestation. Based on the maintenance requirement, maternal tissue gain, and conceptus gain, pregnant gilts require 6.8 and 15.3 g/d of true ileal-digestible lysine (or 147 and 330 g/d of true ileal-digestible protein) before and after d 70 of gestation, respectively, to support their true biological needs.  相似文献   

19.
The objective of this study is to characterize the influence of immune stress induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on protein utilization and turnover for early-weaned pigs. A total of 15, crossbred weanling pigs (initial body weight 10.15 ± 0.39 kg) were assigned to one of three treatments. Pigs were injected with LPS and fed ad libitum (LPS-challenge), or injected with endotoxin-free physiological salt solution (PSS) and fed ad libitum (control), or injected with PSS and fed the same amount of feed as LPS-challenged pigs (pair-feed). All pigs received a 4-d nitrogen balance trial. On d 1 and 3 of the trial, LPS-challenged pigs were injected intramuscularly with 200 μg/kg BW of LPS dissolved in 1 ml PSS. Pigs in other treatments were injected with 1 ml PSS. 15N-Glycine (5 mg/kg BW) was gastrically infused after the second injection. Feces and urine were collected daily to determine the N output throughout the duration of the trial. Lymphocyte blastogenesis (LB) and serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) were also detected to illustrate the LPS-induced immune responses. Results indicated that the injection of LPS significantly (P < 0.01) elevated the LB and resulted in lower average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (ADFI) and efficiency of feed utilization than control pigs. Pair-fed pigs had higher performance than LPS-challenged pig but poorer than control pigs. Injection of LPS also resulted in significantly (P < 0.01) lower nitrogen intake and efficiency of utilization than controls, and more fecal N excretion than Pair-fed pigs (3.19 ± 0.85 vs. 2.19 ± 0.67 g/d, P < 0.05). The whole-body nitrogen flux (4.34 ± 0.19 vs. 11.35 ± 0.12 g N/kg BW0.75/d) and N accretion (5.57 ± 0.59 vs. 10.17 ± 1.12 g Pr/kg BW0.75/d) were acutely (P < 0.01) reduced as the feed intake decreased, but there was no significant difference between LPS-challenged and pair-fed pigs. Injection of LPS markedly (P < 0.05) increased the protein degradation (16.76 ± 1.09 vs. 14.53 ± 1.24 g N/kg BW0.75/d). It is concluded that LPS-induced immune challenge depresses growth performance and feed utilization efficiency by enhancing protein degradation rate and decreasing protein utilization for body protein retention.  相似文献   

20.
The primary aim of the present study was to establish whether the treatment with a GnRH agonist on Day 5 after AI may result in the formation of an accessory corpus luteum, greater progesterone secretion, and the increased likelihood of pregnancy success in buffaloes. The study was conducted during a period of increasing daylight length when progesterone secretion is suppressed and embryonic mortality is relatively high in buffaloes. In Experiment 1, treatment with a GnRH agonist (buserelin, 12 μg) on Day 5 after AI induced acute increases in circulating concentrations of LH, FSH and oestradiol-17β. Pregnant buffaloes (n = 14) at Day 40 following AI showed an increase (P < 0.01) in milk whey progesterone concentration between Day 5 (310 ± 55 pg/ml) and Day 15 (424 ± 50 pg/ml). The non-pregnant buffaloes (n = 7) showed a decrease (P < 0.01) in progesterone level from Day 5 (410 ± 87 pg/ml) to Day 15 (188 ± 30 pg/ml) following AI. In Experiment 2, the treatment with buserelin (12 μg) on Day 5 after AI induced ovulation in 62% of the buffaloes (31/50) and these buffaloes showed a progressive increase in milk whey progesterone concentration on Day 10, 15 and 20 of pregnancy. Buffaloes that did not ovulate, recorded a relatively constant milk whey progesterone level from Day 10 to Day 20 following AI. Milk whey progesterone concentrations increased after the administration of the GnRH agonist in 97% of the pregnant buffaloes and 68% of the non-pregnant buffaloes. The diameter of the largest follicle in buffaloes that ovulated (ovulated n = 31) (8.9 ± 0.04 mm; range 4.2 – 13.0 mm) did not differ significantly from the diameter of the largest follicle in buffaloes that did not ovulate (not ovulate n = 19) (8.7 ± 0.04 mm; range: 4.0 – 12.0 mm). The latter observation suggested that notional ovulatory size follicles in buffaloes are heterogeneous with respect to stage of follicle maturation and capacity to respond to plasma LH. The present study showed that treatment with a GnRH agonist on Day 5 following AI provides a strategy to increase progesterone secretion and the likelihood of pregnancy in buffaloes mated during periods of increasing daylight length.  相似文献   

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