Effect of estradiol-17beta administration during the time of conceptus elongation on placental size at term in Meishan pigs

Meishan embryos transferred to recipient females on d 2.5 are larger, contain greater numbers of trophectoderm cells, and secrete greater amounts of estradiol-17beta (E2beta) when gestated in a Yorkshire as compared with Meishan uterus to d 12. Additionally, placentas of Meishan conceptuses are larger when gestated in a Yorkshire as compared with Meishan uterus throughout gestation. Embryonic E2beta secretion during elongation on d 12 to 13 of gestation is temporally associated with endometrial secretion of growth factors, including IGF-I, which has been shown to increase mitotic rate in the trophectoderm of pig embryos. This experiment was conducted to determine whether E2beta administration to Meishan gilts at the time of conceptus elongation would increase placental size at term. Meishan gilts (n = 12) were checked twice daily for estrus (0700 and 1900), and each was bred to a Meishan boar at 0 and 24 h after the onset of estrus (d 0). Gilts were randomly assigned in equal numbers to receive injections of sesame oil (VEH) starting on d 12 (control), 1 mg of E2beta in VEH starting on d 12 (E212), or 1 mg of E2beta in VEH starting d 13 (E(2)13). The injections were initiated at 0700 or 1900 (corresponding to the time of day they first exhibited estrus) and continued at 6-h intervals for 48 h, resulting in 8 mg of E2beta given in eight injections. Pregnant gilts were killed on d 112 of gestation, and ovulation rate, litter size, implantation site length, fetal weight, crown-rump length, placental weight, and placental surface area were quantified. There were no differences among E(2)12, E(2)13, and control females in ovulation rate or litter size, which averaged 16.3 +/- .7 and 11.8 +/- .7, respectively. Fetal weight and crown-rump length were not different (P > .10) among E(2)12, E(2)13, and control females, averaging 802 +/- 26 g and 24.3 +/- .3 cm. Placentas were markedly heavier (176 +/- 14 and 174 +/- 16 vs 134 +/- 10 g, P < .05) and larger (1,337 +/- 97 and 1,520 +/- 70 vs 978 +/- 29 cm2, P < .001) for E(2)12 and E(2)13 vs control gilts, respectively. Placental efficiency (estimated as fetal weight:placental weight) was greater (P < .05) in the control than in the E(2)12 and E(2)13 gilts (5.8 +/- .2 vs 4.8 +/- .2 and 5.1 +/- .4). These data demonstrate that the amount of E2beta exposure around the time of elongation affects placental size at term. Additionally, the difference in placental efficiency between control and E2beta groups indicate that E2beta-induced increases in placental size led to a reduced placental efficiency.     

Conceptus competition for uterine space: different strategies exhibited by the Meishan and Yorkshire pig

Our laboratory has demonstrated that Yorkshire placentae increase in size and surface area during the final third of gestation. In contrast, Meishan placental size remains constant during late gestation, but the density of blood vessels at the placental-endometrial interface increases markedly. Preliminary observations from our laboratory suggest that if one of two adjacent Meishan fetuses dies, the placenta of the remaining Meishan conceptus fails to increase its length of implantation or its placental weight or surface area. In contrast, if one of two adjacent Yorkshire fetuses dies, the adjacent conceptus accelerates its placental growth. The objective of this experiment was to document that Yorkshire, but not Meishan, conceptuses accelerate placental growth when adjacent fetuses are experimentally destroyed on d 40 of gestation. Straightbred Meishan (n = 5) and Yorkshire (n = 5) females were laparotomized and one uterine horn was randomly assigned to receive fetal crushing (treated horn); the other uterine horn served as a within-animal control. In the treated horn, every other fetus was then crushed through the uterine wall and the animals were allowed to recover. On d 111, animals were killed, uteri were recovered, and fetal weight, crown-rump length (CRL), placental weight, implantation site length, and placental surface area were recorded. Although there were no statistically significant differences in fetal weight or CRL observed between treated or control horns of females of either breed, there was a tendency for the fetuses in the treated uterine horn to be longer and heavier in both breeds. There were no differences in placental weight, placental surface area, or implantation site length between conceptuses in Meishan treated and control horns, which averaged 173.8+/-6.4 g, 1,162.7+/-35.9 cm2, and 19.0+/-0.4 cm, respectively. In contrast, placental weight, placental surface area, and implantation site length were increased (P < 0.05) in Yorkshire treated horns compared to Yorkshire control horns (306.1+/-26.0 g, 1,835+/-93.9 cm2, and 33.4+/-1.5 cm vs 253.7+/-13.4 g, 1,474.3+/-50.4 cm2, and 27.2+/-0.8 cm; respectively). These data confirm that Yorkshire conceptuses, but not Meishan conceptuses, accelerate placental growth when adjacent littermates perish as late as d 40 of gestation. These data indicate that differences exist in the strategies employed by Meishan and Yorkshire conceptuses in the competition for nutrients during gestation.     

The effect of divergent selection for uterine capacity on fetal and placental development at term in rabbits: maternal and embryonic genetic effects

The aim of this work was to study the effects of the genotype of the dam, the embryo, or their interactions on prenatal growth by performing double-reciprocal embryo transfers between two lines of rabbits divergently selected for uterine capacity. Females from high (n = 53) and low (n = 48) lines were slaughtered at 72 h of gestation, and recovered embryos were transferred to the oviducts of recipient does from the high (n = 23) and low (n = 19) lines. Each recipient doe received eight embryos from the high line into one oviduct and eight embryos from the low line into the other. Recipient does were slaughtered on d 28 of gestation. The percentages of live fetuses at 28 d of gestation were 89.2 and 74% for high and low recipient lines, respectively. Length and weight of the empty uterine horn and weight of the full uterine horn were not affected by either the recipient or by donor line. Fetal weight was affected by the recipient line but not by the donor line. Fetuses gestated in high recipient does were 7% heavier (P < 0.10) than those in the low recipient does. There was a donor and a donor x recipient interaction effect on fetal placental weight. Fetal placental weight was heavier (7%, P < 0.01) for embryos from the low line. Embryos from the high line gestated in low-line uteri showed a lower fetal placenta weight than did low-line embryos gestated in high-line uteri and low-line uteri (P < 0.05). Linear regression coefficients of fetal weight at term on fetal placental weights differed (P < 0.05) for the high and low donors (4.33 +/- 0.28 and 3.41 +/- 0.29 respectively). A significant effect of the donor genotype on individual placental length was observed (P < 0.05), which might have resulted from a smaller individual placental length of low-line embryos gestated high-line uteri (P < 0.10). Neither donor nor recipient lines affected maternal placental weight or available space for fetuses. Fetuses and their fetal placentae were heavier when receiving more than four blood vessels than when receiving less than three blood vessels (13 and 17% respectively, P < 0.05). Neither recipient nor donor genotype affected the number of blood vessels arriving at each live fetus. Thus, fetal weight depends on the maternal genotype, whereas fetal placental weight depends on the embryo genotype in these two lines of rabbits divergently selected for uterine capacity.     

Changes in serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone following injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone during pregnancy and after parturition in mares

High concentrations of estrogens in the peripheral circulation during late gestation inhibit synthesis of LH and markedly reduce pituitary content of LH at the end of pregnancy in most domestic species. Because blood concentrations of estrogen peak shortly before mid-gestation in the mare and then gradually decrease until parturition, we hypothesized that pituitary content of LH may increase during late gestation. To test this hypothesis 10 horse mares were challenged with a maximally stimulatory dose (2 micrograms/kg) of GnRH on d 240 and 320 of gestation and d 3 after parturition. A separate group of four mares were treated with GnRH on d 2 or 3 estrus. Blood samples were collected at -2, -1, 0, .25, .5, .75, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 h relative to injection of GnRH and serum was analyzed for concentration of LH and FSH. Basal serum concentration and total quantity of LH released after GnRH stimulation (assessed by determining the area under the response curve) were not different on d 240 and 320 of gestation or on d 3 after parturition (12.5 +/- 3.5, 5.7 +/- 1.5 and 29.1 +/- 12.1 ng.min/ml, respectively) and were less (P less than .05) than on d 3 of estrus (311.0 +/- 54.0 ng.min/ml). There was little difference in the basal serum concentration of FSH at any of the time points examined. In contrast, GnRH-induced release of FSH continually decreased (P less than .05) from d 240 of gestation (559.8 +/- 88.9 ng.min/ml) to d 3 of estrus (51.8 +/- 6.2 ng.min/ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Luteal maintenance in cattle after conceptus death during the first trimester of gestation.

The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate effect of age of the conceptus at death on subsequent interval to estrus and to determine whether prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF) treatment after induced conceptus death would reduce interval to estrus. Sixty-four beef cows were diagnosed pregnant by ultrasonography between 24 and 50 d of gestation. Nine pregnancy groups were identified; each encompassed a 3-d interval from d 24 through 50 of gestation. Cows were allocated at random within pregnancy group to be treated with colchicine to induce conceptus death. Forty-eight hours after colchicine treatment, conceptus death was verified by ultrasonography and each animal received either saline or PGF. There was no evidence of an effect of age of conceptus at death on the subsequent interval to estrus after either saline or PGF. Interval to estrus after saline was 13.5 +/- .8 d, which was greater (P less than .01) than the 6.2 +/- .8 d after PGF. After saline, the estimate for the linear effect of time on serum progesterone (P4) was -1.32 +/- .36 ng/d and was less (P less than .05) than -2.83 +/- .36 ng/d for cows given PGF. Cows were exposed to fertile bulls at the first postabortion estrus. Pregnancy rates were 37.5% for cows given saline vs 31.3% for those given PGF. These results indicate that interval to estrus after conceptus death between 24 and 50 d of gestation is not affected by the age of the conceptus and can be reduced by PGF treatment.     

Factors contributing to early embryonic mortality in gilts bred at first estrus

Gilts bred at first (n = 18) and third (n = 18) estrus were assigned in replicates of equal numbers to be slaughtered on d 3, 15 and 30 post-mating to assess fertilization rate, embryonic losses and serum concentrations of estrogen (estradiol-17 beta + estrone) and progesterone. Mean number of ovulations was lower among gilts bred at first vs third estrus (12.2 vs 14.5; P less than .05), with no difference in fertilization rate (100 vs 98%). Embryonic survival was lower (P less than .05) among gilts bred at first vs third estrus on d 15 (78.1 vs 95.4%) and 30 (66.7 vs 89.4%) of gestation. Serum estrogen (pg/ml) and progesterone (ng/ml) levels, although lower in gilts bred at first vs third estrus, were not significantly different at the three stages of gestation studied. The ratio of progesterone to estrogen in gilts bred at first estrus was higher than in those bred at third estrus on d 15 (439 +/- 71 vs 210 +/- 17) and 30 (597 +/- 106 vs 179 +/- 50), but was lower on d 3 (187 +/- 37 vs 444 +/- 123; stage of gestation X estrous period interaction, P less than .05). These data suggest that changes in the ratio of systemic levels of estrogen and progesterone may be related to early embryonic mortality in gilts bred at pubertal estrus.     

The impacts of uterine environment and fetal genotype on conceptus size and placental vascularity during late gestation in pigs.

Meishan and Yorkshire gilts were bred exclusively to Yorkshire and Meishan boars, respectively, resulting in similar Meishan x Yorkshire fetuses gestating in the uteri of both maternal breeds. Gilts of both breeds were slaughtered on d 90 and 110 of gestation, and the weight and volume of each uterine horn was determined. Fetal weights and crown-rump lengths were recorded. A section of the chorioallantoic-endometrial attachment site was collected for each conceptus and evaluated for placental and endometrial vascular density. An intact placenta was recovered for each conceptus and weighed, and its surface area was determined. Fetal weight and crown-rump length increased (P < .001) markedly between d 90 and 110 of gestation in Meishan and in Yorkshire uteri, but they were markedly less (P < .001) in Meishan than in Yorkshire uteri. Placental weight and placental surface area were reduced by 40% in Meishan, compared with Yorkshire, uteri; however, placental size did not increase between d 90 and 110 in either uterine type. Placental vascular density and associated endometrial vascular density were similar (P > .20) for conceptuses in Meishan and Yorkshire uteri on d 90 and 110 of gestation. Additionally, even though the ratio of fetal weight: placental weight (placental efficiency) increased between d 90 and 110, placental efficiency was similar for conceptuses in Meishan and Yorkshire uteri. In a previous study using straightbred Meishan or Yorkshire conceptuses gestated in either a Meishan or Yorkshire uterus, we found Meishan conceptuses had a markedly greater placental efficiency than did Yorkshire conceptuses, regardless of the type of uterus in which they were gestated. These data indicate that uterine type determines conceptus size and conceptus genotype controls placental efficiency.     

Effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced luteolysis on in vivo and in vitro progesterone production by individual placentomes of cows

This study investigated placental progesterone production by bovine placentomes. Catheters were placed in the femoral artery (FA) and in the caruncular artery (CA), caruncular vein (CV) and lymphatic vessel of a prominent placentome of 13 cows at 200 d of gestation. Four of the 13 cows were given prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) after surgery, and blood and lymph were collected for progesterone determination. After 24 h, progesterone was higher (P less than .01) in FA and CA plasma from control cows that FA and CA plasma from PGF2 alpha-treated cows (5.11 +/- .29 and 5.17 +/- .64 vs 1.41 +/- .08 and 1.15 +/- .08 ng/ml, respectively), but CV concentrations were similar (3.38 +/- .30 vs 2.56 +/- .24, respectively). There was a net uptake of progesterone by placentomes from control cows (P less than .01) but a net secretion in PGF2 alpha-treated cows (P less than .05). Lymph contained low progesterone concentrations regardless of treatment. Cows were slaughtered at 240 d of gestation. Placentomes were removed and perfused with pregnenolone through the maternal and fetal arteries. Fetal venous effluent contained more progesterone than maternal venous effluent (P less than .001) in both groups, and fetal venous effluent of placentomes from PGF2 alpha-treated cows contained more progesterone than that from control cows (P less than .05). Maternal and fetal components of other placentomes were cultured alone or in co-culture along with pregnenolone and (or) epostane. Fetal tissue produced more progesterone (P less than .001) than maternal tissue when each was cultured alone, but fetal tissue production declined when co-cultured with maternal tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of serum-free co-culture and synchrony of recipients on development of cultured sheep embryos to fetuses

The percentage of sheep embryos that continued to develop after collection and immediate transfer on d 2 after estrus was similar when phosphate-buffered saline with 10% fetal calf serum (PBSFCS, 45%), physiological saline (50%), or tissue culture medium 199 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (M199FCS, 47%) was used to flush embryos from oviducts. Co-culture of sheep embryos for 3 d with oviductal cells tended (P = .1) to reduce the percentage of embryos that developed to fetuses after transfer compared with those embryos transferred immediately. Tissue culture medium 199 supplemented with .3% BSA (M199BSA) was an adequate substitute for M199FCS for culture of sheep oviductal cells if tissue culture wells were pretreated with fibronectin. Estradiol in concentrations from 10 to 1,000 pg/ml and progesterone at concentrations of 1 or 10 ng/ml in M199BSA failed to stimulate embryo development during 3 d of co-culture beyond that seen in co-culture with M199FCS or M199BSA without added steroid. Transfer of sheep embyros co-cultured for 3 d in M199BSA or M199FCS to recipients synchronized with donors resulted in about 19% of the embryos developing to fetuses, whereas transfer to recipients that were in estrus 24 h after donors resulted in 33% of embryos developing to fetuses. The significant (P less than .05) improvement for delayed recipients may reflect the relatively lesser developmental rate of co-cultured embryos compared with that of embryos in vivo. Embryo development into fetuses was similar after co-culture in M199FCS or M199BSA co-cultures; therefore, serum is not required for the co-culture of sheep embryos.     

Conceptus and maternal responses to increased feed intake during early gestation in pigs

Maternal diet influences fetal growth and postnatal development. We hypothesized that conceptuses gestated in sows provided ad libitum vs. restricted feed intake would differ in the milieu of hormones, growth factors, nutrients, and metabolites associated with growth and metabolism. This hypothesis was tested in two experiments by providing fourth-parity sows (Pig Improvement Co. C15 bred to Line 326 boars) with either 1.81 kg/d (as-fed basis; control) or ad libitum access to gestation diet. In Exp. 1, control (n = 6) or ad libitum (6.4 +/- 0.11 kg/d; n = 9) treatments were provided from d 29 to 45 (onset of estrus is d 0), and sows were slaughtered on d 46. Ad libitum sows gained more weight from d 29 to 45 than controls (34.0 vs. 4.32 kg, respectively; P < 0.01). No differences were observed on d 46 for the number of fetuses, conceptus attachment length, allantoic + amniotic fluid volume, placental weight, fetal weight, and fetal crown-to-rump length. Variation in fetal crown-to-rump length was less (P < 0.03) in sows fed ad libitum. Sows fed ad libitum had greater (P < 0.01) IGF-I and insulin concentrations in plasma than controls on d 43. In Exp. 2, sows were fed 1.81 kg/d (n = 6) or ad libitum (7.0 +/- 0.11 kg/d; n = 4) from d 30 to 56 of gestation, when sows were anesthetized and samples were collected surgically from their gravid uteri. Sows fed ad libitum gained more weight (P < 0.01) than did controls and had more (P < 0.06) IGF-I in their plasma and the plasma collected from umbilical veins of their fetuses. No differences were found for concentrations of insulin or glucose in plasma of sows or fetuses, but urea N concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in maternal plasma and in the plasma, and allantoic and amniotic fluids of conceptuses from sows fed ad libitum. Combined data from Exp. 1 and 2 revealed a treatment x fetal number interaction (P < 0.05) for average fetal weight. The expected negative relationship between within-litter average fetal weight and the number of fetuses per uterus was observed for control sows (y = 115.4 -1.75 x fetal number; P < 0.05), but litters of ad libitum sows did not show this effect. The hypothesis that providing feed in excess of established requirements in early gestation affects the in utero milieu is supported by these results. Data further reveal that, at least at mid-gestation, the restraint to fetal growth that is exhibited when fetal number increases in control sows is not exhibited when sows are fed ad libitum.     

Nonpuberal estrus in beef heifers

The frequency of occurrence of behavioral estrus without subsequent development of functional luteal tissue (termed nonpuberal estrus, NPE), was determined in 43 Simmental X Hereford-Brahman heifers. Blood samples were collected weekly from the start of the study to first behavioral estrus and then daily from d 1 (d 0 = estrus) through d 14 following first and subsequently observed estrous behaviors. All blood samples were analyzed for serum progesterone (P4) concentrations by radioimmunoassay. More heifers (62.8%) exhibited NPE than had luteal development after their first behavioral estrus (37.2%). There was a tendency for fewer light-weight heifers (less than or equal to 240 kg at the start of the experiment) to exhibit a puberal first estrus compared with the heavy-weight (greater than 240 kg at the start of the experiment) heifers (31.2% vs 68.8%, respectively; P = .12). Heifers that had a puberal first estrus were older (376 +/- 12 d vs 334 +/- 9 d, P less than .05) compared with heifers that had NPE. Weight at first behavioral estrus was similar between heifers that had a puberal first estrus and those that had NPE (298 +/- 8 kg and 289 +/- 6 kg, respectively). More heifers that had a puberal first estrus also had an elevation in serum P4 concentrations before that first estrus (64.3% vs 20.0%, P less than .05), and the serum P4 elevation was greater (2.5 +/- .4 ng vs 1.2 +/- .1 ng, P less than .05) than heifers that had NPE. We have concluded from these results that NPE is a common occurrence in heifers approaching puberty.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of recombinant porcine somatotropin on fetal and placental growth in gilts with reduced uterine capacity

Crowded uterine conditions were induced by unilateral hysterectomy-ovariectomy (UHO) in 42 gilts to determine the effect of recombinant porcine somatotropin on fetal and placental growth. Gilts were randomly assigned across three replicates to one of three treatments: Control (C; n = 14), daily injections of 1 mL saline from d 0 to 64 of gestation, Early (E; n = 12), 5 mg of rpST/d from d 0 to 30, followed by 1 mL saline from d 31 to 64, and Late (L; n = 16), 1 mL saline/d from d 0 to 29, followed by 5 mg of rpST/d from d 30 to 64 of gestation. Blood was collected from each gilt via jugular venipuncture at d 0 and every 15 d thereafter. Gilts were hysterectomized on d 65 of gestation. Length of placental attachment and fetal crown-rump length were measured. Placentas and fetuses were weighed. Placental length, wet weight, and dry weight were recorded. Treatment with rpST (either E or L) increased (P < 0.0001) maternal plasma IGF-I concentrations relative to controls. Treatment with rpST did not affect placental wet weight or placental DNA content. However, E and L treatments increased the percentage of placental protein (P = 0.01) and placental dry matter (P = 0.10) and increased contact area of uterine-placental interface (P = 0.01). Despite changes in placental composition and morphology, weights of fetuses collected from L-treated gilts did not differ from controls, whereas weights of fetuses collected from E-treated gilts tended to be less than controls (P < 0.06). Administration of rpST increased maternal IGF-I concentrations and placental surface area but failed to increase fetal growth in the UHO model. Therefore, mechanisms that are independent of maternal IGF-I or placental contact area may control early fetal growth under crowded uterine conditions.     

Relationship of fetal position within the uterus to fetal weight, placental weight, testosterone, estrogens, and thymosin beta 4 concentrations at 70 and 104 days of gestation in swine.

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)     

Effects of exogenous somatotropin during early gestation on maternal performance, fetal growth, and compositional traits in pigs

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of maternal treatment with porcine somatotropin (pST) during early gestation on embryonic survival, fetal development, and internal environment for fetal growth. Sixty-two crossbred gilts received daily injections of either 3 mL of a placebo (control, n = 31) or 6 mg of pST (n = 31) from d 10 to 27 of gestation. Representative gilts were slaughtered on d 28, 37, and 62 of gestation. The remaining gilts were allowed to farrow. It was found that embryonic survival was not influenced by pST treatment (P > 0.10). However, pST affected the growth and composition of the maternal (endometrium) and fetal (chorion) parts of the placenta. Thus, endometrial RNA concentration tended to be increased by pST at d 37 (P = 0.15), and it was increased at d 62 (P < 0.05) of gestation, which is indicative of increased capacity for protein synthesis. At birth, placental chorion weight (P < 0.10) and contents of DM and protein (P < 0.05) were increased due to pST treatment, but no effects were detectable up to d 62 of gestation. Maternal pST treatment was effective at increasing nutrient supply to the embryo as suggested from elevated glucose concentrations in amniotic and allantoic fluids (P < 0.05) at d 28 of gestation. With regard to prenatal growth, embryonic DNA concentration was slightly elevated at d 28 (P < 0.10), but pST did not induce any changes in average embryonic, fetal, or neonatal weights. However, within litters, the birth weights of piglets in the 25% lowest weight group (LW) were increased by pST treatment vs control LW pigs (1,241+/-55 vs 1,099+/-59 g, P < 0.10). Thirty-eight neonates from 15 litters divided among the three weight groups were examined for body composition. The weight of the intestinal tract was increased above average after maternal pST treatment (P < 0.01). Additionally, the amounts of tissues such as bone (P = 0.12) and s.c. fat (P = 0.06), and of protein, fat (P = 0.10), and ash (P < 0.05) were increased, whereas the relative body composition remained unchanged by pST (P > 0.10). On average, muscle protein concentration was elevated due to pST (P < 0.01), and, in LW piglets, plasma IGF-I concentration was increased (P < 0.10). The results suggest that maternal somatotropin is a critical factor in early pregnancy capable of influencing placental nutrient transfer and placental growth. It thereby selectively improves the growth conditions for the smaller littermates.     

The effect of dietary restriction, pregnancy, and fetal type in different ewe types on fetal weight, maternal body weight, and visceral organ mass in ewes

Our objectives were to evaluate maternal body changes in response to dietary restriction or the increased nutrient requirement of fetal growth. In Exp. 1, 28 mature crossbred ewes (61.6 +/- 1.8 kg initial BW) were fed a pelleted forage-based diet to evaluate effects of pregnancy and nutrient restriction on visceral organ mass. Treatments were arranged in 2 x 3 factorially, with dietary restriction (60% restriction vs. 100% maintenance) and reproductive status (nonpregnant [NP], d 90 or d 130 of gestation) as main effects. Dietary treatments were begun at d 50 of gestation, and restricted ewes remained at 60% of maintenance throughout the experiment. Nonpregnant and d-90 ewes were fed dietary treatments for 40 d and slaughtered. The d-130 ewes were fed dietary treatments for 80 d and then slaughtered. In Exp. 2, four Romanov ewes were naturally mated (Romanov fetus and Romanov dam; R/ R), and two Romanov embryos were transferred to each of four Columbia recipients (Romanov embryos and Columbia recipient; R/C). Three Columbia ewes were naturally mated (Columbia fetus and Columbia recipient; C/C). In both experiments, maternal organ weights were reported as fresh weight (grams), scaled to empty body weight (EBW; grams per kilogram) and maternal body weight (MBW; grams per kilogram). In Exp. 1, ewe EBW and fetal mass were decreased (P < 0.02) with restriction compared with maintenance. Dietary restriction decreased liver mass (16.7 vs. 14.5 g/kg EBW or 18.8 vs. 16.4 g/kg MBW; P < 0.01), but dietary restriction did not affect total digestive tract mass. In Exp. 2, ewe BW was less for the R/R compared with R/C and C/C (44.8 vs. 110.4 and 98.1 +/- 7.9 kg, respectively; P < 0.01). Fetal weight at d 130 was less for the R/R than for R/C and C/C (2.2 vs. 3.3 and 4.7 +/- 0.3 kg, respectively; P < 0.01) when measured as individual fetuses; however, when measured as total fetal mass carried in each ewe, there was no effect of ewe type. These data suggest that the gastrointestinal tract, along with other maternal organs, responds to both level of dietary intake and nutrient requirements for gestation, and that fetal weight is decreased as a result of a 40% decrease in nutrients offered.     

Responses to delayed estrus after weaning in sows using oral progestagen treatment

Oral progestagen treatment extends the weaning-to-estrus interval (WEI) in weaned sows. Particularly in lower parity sows, this allows recovery from lactational catabolism and improves sow productivity. However, the optimal duration of progestagen treatment in contemporary dam-line sows is unclear. Therefore, sows (n = 749) weaned over consecutive 3-wk periods in June and July and classified as parity 2 and 3 (P2-3); 4, 5, and 6 (P4-6); or parity 7 or higher (P7+) were organized into 2 breeding groups using 1 of 3 strategies: 1) oral progestagen for 2 d before and 12 d after weaning (M14; n = 249); 2) oral progestagen for 2 d before and 5 d after weaning (M7; n = 250); or 3) no progestagen treatment (M0; n = 250). Progestagen (altrenogest) was administered directly into the sow's mouth at a dosage of 6.8 mL (15 mg of altrenogest) daily. Sows were bred using artificial insemination at first detection of estrus after weaning (M0) or altrenogest withdrawal, and every 24 h thereafter, until they no longer exhibited the standing reflex. The WEI for M0 sows was 5.1 +/- 0.1 d. Estrus was recorded sooner (P < 0.001) after withdrawing treatment in M14 than in M7 sows (6.9 +/- 0.1 vs. 7.4 +/- 0.1 d, respectively). More (P < 0.001) M14 sows (88.6 +/- 2.5%) were bred within 10 d of altrenogest withdrawal than M7 (72.8 +/- 2.8%) sows, or within 10 d of weaning in M0 sows (78.8 +/- 2.6%). Reproductive tracts were recovered after slaughter at d 30 or 50 of gestation. For P2-3 sows, ovulation rate (least squares mean +/- 95% confidence interval) in M7 (23.1 +/- 1.0) was greater (P < 0.001) than in M14 (20.7 +/- 1.0) or M0 (19.7 +/- 1.0) sows; no differences were detected in P4-6 and P7+ sows. At d 30, M7 and M14 sows had more (P < 0.01) embryos (16.4 +/- 0.6 and 15.8 +/- 0.4, respectively) than M0 (13.9 +/- 0.5) sows. At d 50 of gestation, number of fetuses in M14 sows (13.6 +/- 0.4) was greater (P < 0.001) than in M0 (11.8 +/- 0.4) and M7 (12.2 +/- 0.3) sows. Use of oral progestagen to delay the return to postweaning estrus for greater than 18 d appears to have potential for improving weaned sow productivity. Given the incidence of high ovulation rates and associated evidence of intrauterine crowding of embryos around d 30 of gestation, the changing dynamics of prenatal loss resulting from longer periods of progestagen treatment may represent an additional production advantage.     

Breed differences in return to estrus after PGF2 alpha-induced abortions in swine

Fifty-seven Duroc, 41 Landrace and 38 Yorkshire purebred sows in d 10 to 53 of pregnancy were aborted to synchronize estrus by using prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). Breed differences in time between injection of two 10-mg doses of PGF2 alpha and return to estrus were observed in these three breeds of pregnant sows during two breeding seasons. Duroc sows returned to estrus .9 d faster (P less than .01) than Yorkshire and 1.3 d faster (P less than .01) than Landrace sows. Seasonal differences were also observed. The mean days from injection to estrus were 1.8 d fewer (P less than .01) for the spring season than in the fall season. All sows expressed estrus 5 to 11 d after injection. Normal gestation, parturition and piglet survival were observed in the sows after the treatment. Genetic differences in response to induced abortion and return to estrus could have implications in planned breeding and farrowing systems.     

Relationship between size of the ovulatory follicle and pregnancy success in beef heifers

Previous research indicated that the size of the ovulatory follicle at the time of insemination significantly influenced pregnancy rates and embryonic/fetal mortality after fixed-timed AI in postpartum cows, but no effect on pregnancy rates was detected when cows ovulated spontaneously. Our objective was to evaluate relationships of fertility and embryonic/fetal mortality with preovulatory follicle size and circulating concentrations of estradiol after induced or spontaneous ovulation in beef heifers. Heifers were inseminated in 1 of 2 breeding groups: (1) timed insemination after an estrous synchronization and induced ovulation protocol (TAI n = 98); or (2) AI approximately 12 h after detection in standing estrus by electronic mount detectors during a 23-d breeding season (spontaneous ovulation; n = 110). Ovulatory follicle size at time of AI and pregnancy status 27, 41, 55, and 68 d after timed AI (d 0) were determined by transrectal ultrasonography. Only 6 heifers experienced late embryonic or early fetal mortality. Interactions between breeding groups and follicle size did not affect pregnancy rate (P = 0.13). Pooled across breeding groups, logistic regression of pregnancy rate on follicle size was curvilinear (P < 0.01) and indicated a predicted maximum pregnancy rate of 68.0 +/- 4.9% at a follicle size of 12.8 mm. Ovulation of follicles < 10.7 mm or > 15.7 mm was less likely (P < 0.05) to support pregnancy than follicles that were 12.8 mm. Ovulatory follicles < 10.7 mm were more prevalent (28% of heifers) than ovulatory follicles > 15.7 mm (4%). Heifers exhibiting standing estrus within 24 h of timed AI had greater (P < 0.01) follicle diameter (12.2 +/- 0.2 mm vs. 11.1 +/- 0.3 mm) and concentrations of estradiol (9.9 +/- 0.6 vs. 6.6 +/- 0.7) and pregnancy rates (63% vs. 20%) than contemporaries that did not exhibit behavioral estrus. However, when differences in ovulatory follicle size were accounted for, pregnancy rates were independent of expression of behavioral estrus or circulating concentration of estradiol. Therefore, the effects of serum concentrations of estradiol and behavioral estrus on pregnancy rate appear to be mediated through ovulatory follicle size, and management practices that optimize ovulatory follicle size may improve fertility.     

Changes in fetal organ weights during gestation after selection for ovulation rate and uterine capacity in swine

We hypothesized that the ability of the fetus to alter nutrient shunting and organ growth might be associated with uterine capacity. White crossbred gilts from a randomly selected control line, a line selected for ovulation rate, and a line selected for uterine capacity (UC) were unilaterally hysterectomized-ovariectomized at 160 d of age, mated at estrus, and slaughtered at 45, 65, 85, and 105 d of gestation (9 to 18 gilts for each line x day combination). Analysis of the data revealed that heart weights and fetal weights were decreased in the ovulation rate line. No significant differences were obtained in fetal, placental, or fetal organ weights between the control and UC lines. Allometric growth of organs was assessed by examination of the slopes of the relationships between fetal weights and fetal organ weights after natural log transformation. Only the relative growth of the liver differed between selection lines and was greater (P = 0.01) in the UC compared with the control line during early pregnancy (d 45 and 65). Allometric growth of the fetal brain, liver, and heart differed with day of gestation. A brain-sparing effect was greater (P < 0.01) on d 85 and 105 compared with d 45 and 65. By contrast, a heart-sparing effect was present during early gestation and disappeared in later gestation. Fetal liver weights were hypersensitive to differences in fetal weights on d 45, possibly associated with placental effects on fetal liver weight. Fetal spleen weights were proportional to fetal weights throughout gestation. These results indicate that selection for ovulation rate decreased total fetal and fetal heart weights, and that selection for UC altered the relationship between total fetal and fetal liver weights during early gestation. Results further indicate significant changes in allometric growth of organs during gestation.     

Ovulation and embryonic survival in pubertal gilts treated with gonadotropin releasing hormone

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of exogenous gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) on ovulation and embryonic survival in pubertal gilts. Gilts were assigned in replicates to a control (n = 10) and treatment (n = 10) group. Treatment consisted of an iv injection of 200 micrograms of GnRH immediately after initial mating on the first day of detected estrus. Control gilts were similarly injected with physiological saline. Blood samples were collected from the anterior vena cava immediately prior to injection, thereafter at 15-min intervals for 90 min, and subsequently, before slaughter on d 30 of gestation. Serum samples were analyzed for luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone by radioimmunoassay. Treatment with GnRH increased the quantity of LH released (P less than .05), with highest serum concentrations (ng/ml, means +/- SE) of gonadotropin in treated gilts (17.3 +/- 3.5) occurring at 75 min post-injection. In control gilts, serum concentrations of LH were not affected by injection of saline. Mean number of ovulations in treated gilts was also greater (P less than .05) than that of control animals (14.5 +/- .7 vs 12.1 +/- .6). However, treatment with GnRH did not enhance the number of attached conceptuses (normal and degenerating) present (treated, 10.9 +/- .9 vs control, 10.5 +/- .7) nor the percentage of viable fetuses (treated, 74.7 +/- 6.9 vs control, 83.5 +/- 5.0%) on d 30 of gestation. Although GnRH increased ovulation rate, mean weight of corpora lutea of treated and control gilts did not differ (402.8 +/- 16.3 vs 389.5 +/- 11.3 mg, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)