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Kanjanaruch C, Bochantin KA, Dávila Ruiz BJ, Syring J, Entzie Y, King L, Borowicz PP, Crouse MS, Caton JS, Dahlen CR, Ward AK, Reynolds LP. One-carbon metabolite supplementation to nutrient-restricted beef heifers affects placental vascularity during early pregnancy. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae044. [PMID: 38407272 PMCID: PMC10907004 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
We hypothesized that restricted maternal nutrition and supplementation of one-carbon metabolites (OCM; methionine, folate, choline, and vitamin B12) would affect placental vascular development during early pregnancy. A total of 43 cows were bred, and 32 heifers successfully became pregnant with female calves, leading to the formation of four treatment groups: CON - OCM (n = 8), CON + OCM (n = 7), RES - OCM (n = 9), and RES + OCM (n = 8). The experimental design was a 2 × 2 factorial, with main factors of dietary intake affecting average daily gain: control (CON; 0.6 kg/d ADG) and restricted (RES; -0.23 kg/d ADG); and OCM supplementation (+OCM) in which the heifers were supplemented with rumen-protected methionine (7.4 g/d) and choline (44.4 g/d) and received weekly injections of 320 mg of folate and 20 mg of vitamin B12, or received no supplementation (-OCM; corn carrier and saline injections). Heifers were individually fed and randomly assigned to treatment at breeding (day 0). Placentomes were collected on day 63 of gestation (0.225 of gestation). Fluorescent staining with CD31 and CD34 combined with image analysis was used to determine the vascularity of the placenta. Images were analyzed for capillary area density (CAD) and capillary number density (CND). Areas evaluated included fetal placental cotyledon (COT), maternal placental caruncle (CAR), whole placentome (CAR + COT), intercotyledonary fetal membranes (ICOT, or chorioallantois), intercaruncular endometrium (ICAR), and endometrial glands (EG). Data were analyzed with the GLM procedure of SAS, with heifer as the experimental unit and significance at P ≤ 0.05 and a tendency at P > 0.05 and P < 0.10. Though no gain × OCM interactions existed (P ≥ 0.10), OCM supplementation increased (P = 0.01) CAD of EG, whereas nutrient restriction tended (P < 0.10) to increase CAD of ICOT and CND of COT. Additionally, there was a gain × OCM interaction (P < 0.05) for CAD within the placentome and ICAR, such that RES reduced and supplementation of RES with OCM restored CAD. These results indicate that maternal rate of gain and OCM supplementation affected placental vascularization (capillary area and number density), which could affect placental function and thus the efficiency of nutrient transfer to the fetus during early gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chutikun Kanjanaruch
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Kerri A Bochantin
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Bethania J Dávila Ruiz
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Jessica Syring
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Yssi Entzie
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Layla King
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Pawel P Borowicz
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Matthew S Crouse
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
| | - Joel S Caton
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Carl R Dahlen
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Alison K Ward
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Lawrence P Reynolds
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
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Tajonar K, Gonzalez-Ronquillo M, Relling A, Nordquist RE, Nawroth C, Vargas-Bello-Pérez E. Toward assessing the role of dietary fatty acids in lamb's neurological and cognitive development. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1081141. [PMID: 36865439 PMCID: PMC9971820 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1081141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding and measuring sheep cognition and behavior can provide us with measures to safeguard the welfare of these animals in production systems. Optimal neurological and cognitive development of lambs is important to equip individuals with the ability to better cope with environmental stressors. However, this development can be affected by nutrition with a special role from long-chain fatty acid supply from the dam to the fetus or in lamb's early life. Neurological development in lambs takes place primarily during the first two trimesters of gestation. Through late fetal and early postnatal life, the lamb brain has a high level of cholesterol synthesis. This rate declines rapidly at weaning and remains low throughout adulthood. The main polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the brain are ω-6 arachidonic acid and ω-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are elements of plasma membranes' phospholipids in neuronal cells. DHA is essential for keeping membrane integrity and is vital for normal development of the central nervous system (CNS), and its insufficiency can damage cerebral functions and the development of cognitive capacities. In sheep, there is evidence that supplying PUFA during gestation or after birth may be beneficial to lamb productive performance and expression of species-specific behaviors. The objective of this perspective is to discuss concepts of ruminant behavior and nutrition and reflect on future research directions that could help to improve our knowledge on how dietary fatty acids (FA) relate to optimal neurological and cognitive development in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Tajonar
- Departamento de Medicina y Zootecnia de Rumiantes, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico,Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Manuel Gonzalez-Ronquillo
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Relling
- Department of Animal Science, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Rebecca E. Nordquist
- Unit Animals in Science and Society, Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Christian Nawroth
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany,*Correspondence: Christian Nawroth ✉
| | - Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom,Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez ✉
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Ocak Yetisgin S, Şen U. Resilience to drought in semi-desert sheep: Effects of water restriction during pregnancy on placental efficiency in the Awassi breed. Anim Sci J 2021; 91:e13494. [PMID: 33368854 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Assessing the resilience of Awassi sheep to water shortages during pregnancy, thereby investigating the effects of water scarcity on gestation efficiency in animals, could provide valuable and pertinent insight into future scenarios posed by climate change risks. In this study, 40 pregnant Awassi ewes randomly allocated to free watering group (C, n = 20) received water ad libitum and the water restricted group (WR) received 50% less water than the amount provided to group C. Water restriction decreased (p < .05) lambs' birth weights, placental weights (PWs), and cotyledon numbers (CNs). Placental efficiency (PE) and cotyledon efficiency (CE) were significantly higher in the WR group (p < .05). A marked difference in cotyledon weight - an increase of 12.1% - was recorded in the C group. The body weights of the pregnant ewes in the WR group decreased significantly (p < .05) by 22% during pregnancy. Significant increases (p < .05) in plasma ADH, cholesterol, Cl- , and Na+ levels were observed in the WR group ewes, indicating intense dehydration. We conclude that the Awassi breed of sheep can endure 50% water restriction during pregnancy and maintain successful parturition, a key outcome for sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sezen Ocak Yetisgin
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Uğur Şen
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
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Sartori ED, Sessim AG, Brutti DD, Lopes JF, McManus CM, Barcellos JOJ. Fetal programming in sheep: effects on pre- and postnatal development in lambs. J Anim Sci 2020; 98:5902497. [PMID: 32894763 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to summarize the effects of maternal undernutrition or overnutrition during pregnancy on fetal weight and morphometric measurements during pregnancy, at birth, and postnatal period in sheep. After completing the search, selection, and data extraction steps, the measure of effect was generated by the individual comparison of each indicator with the average of the control and treated group (undernutrition or overnutrition) using the DerSimonian and Laird method for random effects. Subgroup analyses were also performed for lambing order, litter size, sex, as well as level, timing, and duration of the intervention. Fetal weight during the first third of pregnancy was not affected by maternal undernutrition or overnutrition. On the other hand, undernutrition in the second and last third of gestation reduces the weight of the lamb both during pregnancy, at birth, and during the postnatal period, requiring at least 120 postnatal days to achieve the same weight as its contemporaries in the control treatment. However, this reduction in weight is not accompanied by reductions in morphometric measurements, demonstrating that the animals were lighter, but of equal size. In overnutrition, there is an increase in fetal weight in the second third of gestation. However, in the last third of the gestational period, there are no differences in fetal weight for the multiparous subgroup, but it was reduced in primiparous ewes. There are no effects of overnutrition on birth weight; however, this result is highly heterogeneous. Thus, maternal nutrition of ewe during pregnancy has effects on fetal and postnatal weight, but not on size. Furthermore, the effects of undernutrition are more homogeneous while overnutrition showed heterogeneous responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Everton D Sartori
- Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Amir G Sessim
- Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Danielle D Brutti
- Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jusecléia F Lopes
- Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Concepta M McManus
- University of Brasilia, Darcy Ribeiro University Campus, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Júlio O J Barcellos
- Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Gootwine E, Rosov A, Alon T, Stenhouse C, Halloran KM, Wu G, Bazer FW. Effect of supplementation of unprotected or protected arginine to prolific ewes on maternal amino acids profile, lamb survival at birth, and pre- and post-weaning lamb growth. J Anim Sci 2020; 98:skaa284. [PMID: 32860700 PMCID: PMC7694597 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This research determined the effects of dietary supplementation with rumen-protected arginine (Pro-Arg) on metabolites and amino acids in maternal plasma and lamb survival rate at birth (LSRAB) in prolific Afec-Assaf ewes. The hypothesis was that Pro-Arg, the precursor for nitric oxide and polyamines, would increase placental development and vascularity, uteroplacental blood flow, and nutrient transport and reduce oxidative stress to increase LSRAB. Ewes were fed either their basal diet, basal diet with Pro-Arg, or basal diet with unprotected arginine (Unp-Arg; 18 g/head/d). The supplemental arginine was about 1% of the dry matter intake from day 40 or 60 of gestation until parturition. Ninety-two of 98 ewes produced live lambs. Ewes fed Pro-Arg had greater (P = 0.002) concentrations of arginine and other amino acids in plasma, whereas Unp-Arg did not affect concentrations of arginine, but decreased (P < 0.05) concentrations of some amino acids. There was no effect of treatments on gestation length (144 ± 2 d), prolificacy (2.65 lambs born per ewe), LSRAB (0.80), body weight (88.8 ± 10.8 kg), and body condition score (2.8 ± 0.6) of ewes, or birth weight and crown-rump length of lambs. The GI (BW/CRL1.5) was affected by sex of lamb (P = 0.008), parity of ewe (P = 0.002), litter size (P = 0.0001), and lamb status (P = 0.003). Of 229 lambs born, 32 were dead and 16 died before 5 mo of age, leaving 181 lambs with records on weights at birth and 5 mo of age. Interestingly, lambs born to ewes fed the Unp-Arg and Pro-Arg weighed 3.6 kg less at postnatal day 150 than lambs from control ewes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisha Gootwine
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Science, The Volcani Center for Research and Development, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Alexander Rosov
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Science, The Volcani Center for Research and Development, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Tamir Alon
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Science, The Volcani Center for Research and Development, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Claire Stenhouse
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | | | - Guoyao Wu
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Fuller W Bazer
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
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Hernández R, Rodríguez FM, Gareis NC, Rey F, Barbeito CG, Diessler ME. Abundance of insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2, and type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor in placentas of dogs. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 221:106554. [PMID: 32861116 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are among the primary compounds regulating placental development. In bitches, relative abundance of IGF1, IGF2 and IGFR1 mRNA transcripts have been studied in the pre-implantation uterus and early endotheliochorial placentas. The IGF2 and IGFR1 distribution has also been previously described in the uterus before embryo implantation. The aim of this study was to detect, characterize, and localize the presence of IGF1, IGF2, and IGFR1 in early-developing and mature placentas of dogs. Placentas of 15 bitches were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. The IGFs were located in endometrial epithelium and glands, with the staining pattern and intensity being less in mature placentas. Cytotrophoblast cells (CTB) and syncytiotrophoblast (STB) cells contained both IGFs; the labeling was greater in CTB of the early-developing than mature placentas. The maternal endothelium was positively stained for both IGFs, while the vascular endothelium of the chorioallantoic membrane were only stained for IGF2. The IGFR1 was detected in all cell populations evaluated. Results regarding trophoblastic IGF are quite consistent with those reported in human placentas. Spatiotemporal IGFs/IGFR1 pattern might reflect the occurrence of autocrine and paracrine signaling during placentation in bitches, and the involvement in early placental developmental processes. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that, besides hemotrophic actions of plasma IGFs, endometrial secreted IGFs may promote early placental development through histotrophic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Hernández
- Laboratorio de Histología y Embriología Descriptiva, Experimental y Comparada (LHYEDEC), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (FCV, UNLP), Avda. 60 y 118, 1900, La Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), FCV, UNLP, La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Fernanda M Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICiVet-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) / Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Natalia C Gareis
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICiVet-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) / Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Florencia Rey
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICiVet-Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL) / Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Claudio G Barbeito
- Laboratorio de Histología y Embriología Descriptiva, Experimental y Comparada (LHYEDEC), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (FCV, UNLP), Avda. 60 y 118, 1900, La Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), FCV, UNLP, La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Mónica E Diessler
- Laboratorio de Histología y Embriología Descriptiva, Experimental y Comparada (LHYEDEC), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (FCV, UNLP), Avda. 60 y 118, 1900, La Plata, Argentina.
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7
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Cong R, Qu X, Zhang H, Hu Y, Ye S, Cai D, Li X, Liu HY. Maternal high-protein diet modulates hepatic growth axis in weaning piglets by reprogramming the IGFBP-3 gene. Eur J Nutr 2019; 59:2497-2506. [PMID: 31570976 PMCID: PMC7413878 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-019-02097-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal high dietary protein intake on the hepatic growth axis in offspring. METHODS Fourteen primiparous purebred Meishan sows were fed either a standard-protein (SP, n = 7) diet or a high-protein (HP, 150% of SP, n = 7) diet during pregnancy. Offspring (one male and one female per group, n = 14) on day 70 of the embryonic stage and on days 1, 35 and 180 after birth were selected, weighed and killed. Serum samples were analyzed for Tch, insulin and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) levels. Liver samples were analyzed for IGFBP-3 and IGF-I mRNA expression by qRT-PCR and for IGFBP-3, IGF1R and growth hormone receptor (GHR) protein expression by Western blotting. The underlying mechanism of IGFBP-3 regulation was determined by methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). RESULTS High-protein exposure resulted in significantly higher body and liver weights of piglets, and it increased their serum T3 and T4 levels at birth and/or at weaning. Furthermore, the IGFBP-3 protein content in the liver and serum was significantly reduced in the HP-exposed weaning piglets, whereas at the transcriptional level IGFBP-3 mRNA expression was downregulated in the livers of HP group piglets. Finally, DNA hypermethylation and higher enrichment of the histone repressive marks H3K27me3 and H3K9me3 were observed. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results suggest that a maternal high-protein diet during gestation epigenetically reprograms IGFBP-3 gene expression to modulate the hepatic growth axis in weaning piglets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rihua Cong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A and F University, Yangling, 712100, Shannxi, China
| | - Xiaoli Qu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A and F University, Yangling, 712100, Shannxi, China
| | - Yongling Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A and F University, Yangling, 712100, Shannxi, China
| | - Silin Ye
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A and F University, Yangling, 712100, Shannxi, China
| | - Demin Cai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, 95817, CA, USA. .,College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xian Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A and F University, Yangling, 712100, Shannxi, China.
| | - Hao-Yu Liu
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, SE-75123, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Hoffman F, Boretto E, Vitale S, Gonzalez V, Vidal G, Pardo MF, Flores MF, Garcia F, Bagnis G, Queiroz OCM, Rabaglino MB. Maternal nutritional restriction during late gestation impairs development of the reproductive organs in both male and female lambs. Theriogenology 2017; 108:331-338. [PMID: 29288977 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Maternal nutritional restrictions during late gestation could lead to fetal hypoglycemia. Glucose levels in the fetal sheep regulate circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) levels, which stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation of reproductive organs after binding to its own receptor or estrogen receptors. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of subnutrition of ewes during the last trimester of gestation on the serum glucose/IGF1 levels and development of reproductive organs in their lambs. Pregnant ewes carrying singletons were randomly assigned to restricted (R ewes, n = 8) or control (C ewes, n = 8) groups (4 lambs of each gender/group) and fed with 50% or 100% of metabolic energy requirements from ∼100 days of gestation to term (∼147 days), respectively. Blood samples from lambs were taken on the first day after born and once at week for serum glucose and IGF1 determination. Lambs were euthanatized at 2 months of age, reproductive organs were weighted and tissue samples were collected from them for histology and to measure mRNA expression of IGF1 and its receptor (IGF1R) by qRT-PCR. Pre-partum glucose levels in R ewes were significantly lower compared to C ewes (p < .05). Compared to lambs born from C ewes, lambs born from R ewes showed lower serum levels of glucose and IGF1 during the first week of age (p < .05). At 2 month of age, these lambs had significant lower uterine and testicular weight and lower ovarian, uterine and testicular mRNA expressions of IGF1 and its receptor (p < .05). Histological findings showed that diameter of secondary and tertiary follicles in ovaries and number of endometrial glands in uterus of females, or number of Sertoli cells and seminiferous tubules and diameter, perimeter and tubular area in testicles of males were significantly lower in lambs born from R ewes compared to the respective organs of lambs born from the C ewes (p < .05). In conclusion, these results demonstrate that maternal subnutrition during late gestation affects IGF1 levels during fetal life and impairs reproductive development in the neonatal lamb, which could have permanent negative consequences in the future reproductive performance of the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Hoffman
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Argentina
| | - E Boretto
- Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina
| | - S Vitale
- Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina
| | - V Gonzalez
- Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina
| | - G Vidal
- Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina
| | - M F Pardo
- Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina
| | - M F Flores
- Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina
| | - F Garcia
- Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina
| | - G Bagnis
- Department of Animal Pathology, College of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina
| | - O C M Queiroz
- Department of Animal Health and Nutrition, Chr-Hansen, Argentina
| | - M B Rabaglino
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Argentina; Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina.
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9
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Molasses-based supplement improved the metabolic status of late-pregnant ewes bearing multiple fetuses. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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10
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Parraguez VH, Mamani S, Cofré E, Castellaro G, Urquieta B, De los Reyes M, Astiz S, Gonzalez-Bulnes A. Disturbances in Maternal Steroidogenesis and Appearance of Intrauterine Growth Retardation at High-Altitude Environments Are Established from Early Pregnancy. Effects of Treatment with Antioxidant Vitamins. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140902. [PMID: 26560325 PMCID: PMC4641609 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancies at high-altitudes are influenced by hypoxia and oxidative stress and frequently affected by IUGR. However, a common thought is that early pregnant women visiting altitude have no major complications for gestation development, since IUGR is developed during the second half of pregnancy. Thus, using a well-characterized sheep-model, we aimed to determine whether long- and/or short-term exposure to high-altitude may affect maternal steroidogenesis and therefore embryo-fetal growth from conception. The second aim was to differentiate the relative role of hypoxia and oxidative stress by assessing the effects of supplementation with antioxidant agents during this early-pregnancy stage, which were previously found to be useful to prevent IUGR. The results indicate that both long- and short-term exposure to high-altitude causes disturbances in maternal ovarian steroidogenesis and negatively affects embryo-fetal growth already during the very early stages of gestation, with the consequences being even worsened in newcomers to high-altitude. The supply of antioxidant during this period only showed discrete effects for preventing IUGR. In conclusion, the present study gives a warning for clinicians about the risks for early-pregnant women when visiting high-altitude regions and suggests the need for further studies on the effects of the length of exposure and on the interaction of the exposure with the pregnancy stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor H. Parraguez
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, La Granja, Santiago, Chile
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, La Granja, Santiago, Chile
- International Centre for Andean Studies, University of Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, La Granja, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sandra Mamani
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, La Granja, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eileen Cofré
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, La Granja, Santiago, Chile
| | - Giorgio Castellaro
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, La Granja, Santiago, Chile
| | - Bessie Urquieta
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, La Granja, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mónica De los Reyes
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Chile, Casilla 2, Correo 15, La Granja, Santiago, Chile
| | - Susana Astiz
- Comparative Physiology Lab, SGIT-INIA, Av. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Gonzalez-Bulnes
- Comparative Physiology Lab, SGIT-INIA, Av. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
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11
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Effects of breed, parity and post-mating nutrition on reproductive wastage and pregnancy outcomes of Egyptian sheep. Small Rumin Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2015.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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12
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Meher A, Sundrani D, Joshi S. Maternal nutrition influences angiogenesis in the placenta through peroxisome proliferator activated receptors: A novel hypothesis. Mol Reprod Dev 2015; 82:726-34. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 06/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Akshaya Meher
- Interactive Research School for Health Affairs; Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University; Pune India
| | - Deepali Sundrani
- Interactive Research School for Health Affairs; Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University; Pune India
| | - Sadhana Joshi
- Interactive Research School for Health Affairs; Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University; Pune India
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13
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Abdel-Mage I, El-Gawad MA. Does Parity and Nutrition in Early Pregnancy Affect Viability of Embryos in Both Rahmani and Barki Egyptian Sheep? ASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL AND VETERINARY ADVANCES 2014; 10:25-34. [DOI: 10.3923/ajava.2015.25.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
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14
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Gootwine E. Meta-analysis of morphometric parameters of late-gestation fetal sheep developed under natural and artificial constraints. J Anim Sci 2013; 91:111-9. [PMID: 23404988 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2013-5363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A meta-analysis was performed to study the relationship between ovine fetal BW and body length during the last month of pregnancy in sheep gestated under normal conditions and under different natural and experimental maternal- placental- and fetal- directed constraints. Means of crown-rump length (CRL) and BW records, as well as means of calculated G index (GI, BW/CRL1.5), body mass index (BMI, BW/CRL2.0), and Ponderal index (PI, BW/CRL3.0) of 195 nontreated and 160 treated groups of lambs from 131 studies were investigated by ANOVA. the GI is a novel BW-body length index developed for sheep fetuses and newborn lambs. The analysis included the effects of study (n=131), treatment (n=38), average litter size (1 to 3), and days in pregnancy (120 d to lambing). The morphometric parameters were obtained on average on d 139 of gestation, when lambs in the nontreated groups averaged 0.50 m for CRL and 4.20 kg for BW. applying the different treatments caused substantial variation in fetal BW (from 2.5 to 4.9 kg), and somewhat less variation in fetal CRL (0.41 to 0.55 m), reflecting ovine fetal ability to adapt its growth to a variety of natural and experimental constraints. Some treatments affected (P<0.05) the fetal BW-body length relationship, as clearly reflected by the GI and BMI, but not by the PI. litter size and days in pregnancy had effects (P<0.05) on all variables. It was concluded that the severity of fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in the case of multifetus pregnancies is comparable with the IUGR effects caused by experimentally induced fetal growth-inhibiting interventions, and that GI may be superior to BMI and PI in detecting interference with ovine fetal body proportion.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Gootwine
- Institute of Animal Science, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
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15
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) occurs when fetal growth rate falls below the genetic potential and affects a significant number of pregnancies, but still no therapy has been developed for this pregnancy disease. This article reviews the most recent findings concerning maternal characteristics and behaviours predisposing to IUGR as well as maternal early markers of the disease. A comprehensive understanding of factors associated with IUGR will help in providing important tools for preventing and understanding adverse outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS Maternal nutritional status, diet and exposure to environmental factors are increasingly acknowledged as potential factors affecting fetal growth both by altering nutrient availability to the fetus and by modulating placental gene expression, thus modifying placental function. SUMMARY Assessing nutritional and environmental factors associated with IUGR, and the molecular mechanisms by which they may have a role in the disease onset, is necessary to provide comprehensive and common guidelines for maternal care and recommended behaviours. Moreover, maternal genetic predispositions and early serum markers may allow a better and more specific monitoring of high risk pregnancies, optimizing the timing of delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Cetin
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L.Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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16
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Sen U, Sirin E, Kuran M. The effect of maternal nutritional status during mid-gestation on placental characteristics in ewes. Anim Reprod Sci 2013; 137:31-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2012] [Revised: 11/22/2012] [Accepted: 11/29/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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17
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Moallem U, Rozov A, Gootwine E, Honig H. Plasma concentrations of key metabolites and insulin in late-pregnant ewes carrying 1 to 5 fetuses. J Anim Sci 2012; 90:318-24. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2011-3905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- U. Moallem
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, Volcani Center, PO Box 6, Bet-Dagan 50250, Israel
| | - A. Rozov
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, Volcani Center, PO Box 6, Bet-Dagan 50250, Israel
| | - E. Gootwine
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, Volcani Center, PO Box 6, Bet-Dagan 50250, Israel
| | - H. Honig
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, Volcani Center, PO Box 6, Bet-Dagan 50250, Israel
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