Effect of intrauterine death and fetectomy on ovine placental lactogen production

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.     

A comparative study of ovine placental lactogen and prolactin secretion patterns in genetically dissimilar fetal co-twins

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.     

Effect of chronic infusion of placental lactogen on ovine fetal growth in late gestation

To test the hypothesis that placental lactogen (PL) is a Immoral regulator of fetal growth, six singleton sheep fetuses received a continuous intravenous fusion of 1.2 mg/d of purified ovine PL (oPL) for 14 d, beginning on Day 122 of gestation. The plasma concentration of oPL was approximately four-fold higher in infused fetuses than in six control fetuses that received a continuous infusion of saline. The circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) concentration was also significantly elevated in PL-infused fetuses (43.1 ± 1.7 vs. 31.9 ± 4.l ng/ml; P < 0.05). Animals were slaughtered on Day 136, and the placenta and all major fetal tissues were dissected, weighed, and subsampled for chemical analysis. Fetal weight and crown-rump length were not significantly affected by treatment; however, the aggregate weight of the brain, liver, lungs, and heart tended to be larger (85.3 ± 2.1 vs. 79.9 ± 1.5 g/kg fetus; mean ± SE, P = 0.07) and the thyroid gland was smaller (0.18 ± 0.l vs. 0.26 ± 0.02 g/kg fetus; P < 0.05) in the PL-infused fetuses. The livers of the PL-infused fetuses had also accumulated additional glycogen (13.1 ± l.7 vs. 8.4 ± 0.7 g; P < 0.05). In late gestation, PL within the fetal compartment increases fetal plasma IGF-1 concentration and hepatic glycogen deposition and may affect the growth of several vital organs.     

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.     

Interrelationships among conceptus size, uterine protein secretion, fetal erythropoiesis, and uterine capacity

The interrelationships among d-11 conceptus size, d-105 placental weight, placental efficiency (the ability of the placenta to support fetal growth and development), fetal erythropoiesis, and uterine capacity were examined in 1/2 Meishan, 1/2 White crossbred gilts that were unilaterally ovariohysterectomized at 90 to 100 d of age. In Exp. 1, gilts were mated after at least one normal estrous cycle and then slaughtered at 105 d of gestation and number of fetuses and CL, placental weights, fetal weights, hematocrits, fetal plasma iron, and fetal plasma folate were measured. In Exp. 2, gilts were mated and plasma progesterone was measured on d 2 and 3 of gestation. On d 11, the length of the remaining uterine horn was recorded and the uterine horn was flushed with minimal essential medium. Number of CL, conceptus number, conceptus diameters, and total uterine flush retinol-binding protein (tRBP), acid phosphatase (tAP), and folate-binding protein (tFBP) were measured. Gilts were mated again and slaughtered at 105 d of pregnancy and the same traits measured in Group 1 were recorded. Plasma progesterone concentrations on d 2 and 3 were correlated with average conceptus diameter on d 11 (r = 0.60, P < 0.01, for each day). In contrast, tRBP (r = 0.49, P < 0.01), tAP (r = 0.53, P < 0.01), and tFBP (r = 0.51, P < 0.01) in uterine flushings on d 11 were only correlated with d-3 plasma progesterone concentrations. No correlations between d-11 average conceptus diameter or d-11 uterine length with d-105 uterine capacity were observed. Uterine capacity was negatively correlated with placental weight, fetal weight and fetal hematocrit (r = -0.36, P < 0.01; r = -0.44, P < 0.01; r = -0.32, P < 0.01; respectively). Hematocrits were correlated with fetal plasma iron (r = 0.50, P < 0.01) and folates (r = 0.44, P < 0.01). Hematocrit, plasma iron, and plasma folate were each correlated with residual fetal weights after adjusting for placental weight (a measure of placental efficiency), and accounted for 11% of the variation in this trait. These data suggest that conceptus diameter and uterine protein secretion on d 11 may be influenced by the onset of progesterone secretion by the CL, but do not support an influence of conceptus growth during early pregnancy on uterine capacity. These results also suggest that reducing placental and fetal weights will likely result in increased uterine capacity.     

Uterine environment as a regulator of birth weight and body dimensions of newborn lambs

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.     

Maternal undernutrition during the pre- and post-conception periods in twin-bearing hairsheep ewes: effects on fetal and placental development at mid-gestation

To evaluate the effects of pre- and post-conception undernutrition (UN) on fetal and placental development at mid-gestation, 28 Katahdin × Pelibuey multiparous ewes were blocked by weight and assigned to the following four dietary treatments (n = 7 each): ewes fed 100% (control) or 60% of their nutritional requirements 30 days before mating (UNPre), 50 days after mating (UNPost) or during both periods (UNB). Four twin-bearing ewes were selected per treatment at day 50 post-conception and then slaughtered at day 75 of gestation to analyze their fetuses. Control fetuses were heavier (P < 0.05) than UNPost and UNB fetuses in 14.6 and 9.4%, respectively. Organ weights as percentage of the fetal weight (except for liver) and morphometric measurements (except for abdominal girth) were similar between control and UN fetuses (UNPre, UNPost, and UNB). Placental mass was heavier (P < 0.05) in control ewes than UNB ewes, but not relative to ewes of other treatments. The number of placentomes per ewe and placental efficiency were unaffected by UN treatments. Compared to control, only UNB ewes exhibited variations (P < 0.05) in the proportion of placentomes, specifically for type A (+13.8%) and B (?12.6%). Placentomes of type A and B had lower weight, length, and width of placentas in UNPost and UNB ewes than placentas of control ewes (P < 0.05). Overall results indicate that fetal and placental development of ewes carrying twins is mainly altered when nutritional restriction occurs simultaneously before conception and during the first third of pregnancy.     

Baggs ewes adapt to maternal undernutrition and maintain conceptus growth by maintaining fetal plasma concentrations of amino acids

Adequate delivery of AA is essential for normal fetal growth and development. Recently, we reported that when ewes from the University of Wyoming flock (farm flock with adequate nutrition) were fed 50% (nutrient-restricted) or 100% (control-fed) of the NRC-recommended nutrient requirements between d 28 and 78 of gestation, fetal weights as well as concentrations of most AA in maternal and fetal blood were substantially reduced in nutrient-restricted vs. control-fed pregnancies. The current study utilized Baggs ewes, which were selected under a markedly different production system (range flock with limited nutrition), to test the hypothesis that adaptation of ewes to nutritional and environmental changes may alter placental efficiency and conceptus nutrient availability in the face of maternal nutrient restriction. Baggs ewes received 50 or 100% of the NRC nutrient requirements between d 28 and 78 of pregnancy. On d 78, maternal uterine arterial and fetal umbilical venous blood samples were obtained, and the ewes were euthanized. Amino acids and their metabolites (ammonia, urea, and polyamines) in plasma were analyzed using enzymatic and HPLC methods. The results showed that maternal plasma concentrations of 9 AA (Asp, Ile, Leu, Lys, Orn, Phe, Thr, Trp, and Val) as well as maternal and fetal plasma concentrations of ammonia and urea were reduced (P < 0.05) in nutrient-restricted compared with control-fed Baggs ewes. However, fetal plasma concentrations of all AA and polyamines did not differ (P = 0.842) between the 2 groups of ewes. Collectively, these findings suggest that Baggs ewes, by adapting to the harsh conditions and limited nutrition under which they were selected, were able to maintain fetal concentrations of AA in the face of a maternal nutrient restriction through augmenting placental efficiency.     

Relationship between litter birth weight and litter size in six breeds of sheep

Metabolizable energy requirements of the ewe increase during pregnancy due to increases in fetal and maternal metabolism. Fetal metabolism is related to total weight of the fetuses. Fetal number is a primary contributor to fetal weight. Litter birth weight represents the culminated fetal growth of the litter and can be used to estimate the effect of fetal metabolism on energy requirements of the ewe. We hypothesized that litter weight in sheep would increase at a decreasing rate with increasing litter size. Birth weights of lambs born to yearling (11 to 15 mo) and mature ewes (> 34 mo) were collected on litters born to Dorset, Rambouillet, Suffolk, Finnsheep, Romanov, and Composite III ewes mated to produce straightbred lambs. Litter birth weight expressed as a function of litter size increased at a decreasing rate and the quadratic term differed from zero for mature Rambouillet, Suffolk, Finnsheep, Romanov, and Composite III litters (P < 0.042). The quadratic coefficient differed among breeds. In yearlings, litter weight increased at a decreasing rate for Suffolk ewes (P = 0.002). The quadratic term for the relationship between litter weight and litter size did not differ from zero for Finnsheep (P = 0.39) or Romanov litters (P = 0.07). The hypothesis that litter weight increases at a decreasing rate with increased litter size is supported by experimental results.     

Ontogeny of a specific high-affinity binding site for ovine placental lactogen in fetal and postnatal liver

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 K_d 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.     

Maternal obesity upregulates fatty acid and glucose transporters and increases expression of enzymes mediating fatty acid biosynthesis in fetal adipose tissue depots

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.     

Patterns of late embryonic and fetal mortality and association with several factors in sheep

Embryonic and fetal mortality reduce lambing rates and litter sizes, thus contributing to economic losses in the sheep industry. In the current study, the timing of late embryonic and fetal loss in ewes and the factors with which these losses were associated were examined. Ewes lambing and lambs born were compared with pregnancy diagnosis and counts of embryos by ultrasonography near d 25, 45, 65, or 85 of gestation. Approximately 19.9% of the ewes experienced late embryonic loss, fetal loss, or both; and 21.2% of the embryos or fetuses were lost from d 25 to term. Potential offspring were lost throughout gestation; 3.7% of embryos from d 25 to 45, 4.3% of fetuses from d 45 to 65, 3.3% from d 65 to 85, and 11.5% from d 85 to parturition; thus, approximately 3 to 4% of the potential offspring were lost for each 20-d period of pregnancy beyond d 25. A greater proportion of ewes lost one (36.7%) rather than all (20.5% single; 3.8% multiple) embryos or fetuses. The patterns of loss were similar in ewes mated during the anestrous season and the transitional period and did not vary with service period within breeding season or method of synchronization of estrus. Late embryonic or fetal losses were not related to the temperature-humidity index. Maternal serum collected near d 25, 45, 65, or 85 of gestation was assayed for concentrations of progesterone, estradiol-17beta , and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The proportions of embryos or fetuses lost were associated with breed type (P < 0.05), as were concentrations of progesterone (P < 0.01), estradiol (P < 0.05), and VEGF (P < 0.01). The relationships of loss or retention of pregnancy to hormonal variables at the 4 stages studied were limited. Complete and partial losses increased rapidly as maternal progesterone at d 25 decreased below 2 ng/mL (P < 0.05). Survival of fetuses within a litter from d 25 to 65 was greater for ewes with medium concentrations of VEGF near d 25 and from d 65 to parturition was greater for ewes with high concentrations of VEGF near d 45 (P < 0.05). In summary, late embryonic or fetal losses occurred from d 25 throughout gestation and varied with breed type and with concentrations of progesterone in maternal serum on d 25.     

The maternal to fetal transfer of immunoglobulins associated with placental lesions in sheep.

In this study we evaluated maternofetal transmission of immunoglobulins in ewes under conditions of altered placental morphology. Intravenous injection of human red blood cells was used to induce immunoglobulins in pregnant ewes. The hemagglutination test was used to detect antibody in maternal serum, fetal and placental fluids. Placental injury was induced by intravenous inoculation of Escherichia coli endotoxin or spores of Aspergillus fumigatus into pregnant ewes at days 99 or 100 of gestation respectively. Placental infarction, thrombosis of maternal placental vessels and variable neutrophil infiltrate characterized lesions produced by A. fumigatus. Endotoxin treated ewes developed marked placental edema, congestion, hemorrhage and focal loss of uterine epithelium. Human red blood cell agglutinating antibody was not detected in placental or fetal fluids obtained from ewes with either of the above placental lesions. Placentitis of undetermined etiology was observed in seven ewes. Two ewes had received A. fumigatus, two had received endotoxin and three were untreated ewes. Histological examination of their placentas revealed trophoblastic and endometrial epithelial necrosis and necrotizing vasculitis of the chorioallantois. Human red blood cell agglutinating antibody was detected only in the fetal and placental fluids of the seven ewes with these placental lesions. The nature of these lesions would have produced a functional confluence of the maternal and fetal circulations. Antibody transfer from dam to fetus was observed only in association with placental lesions which produced this confluence of circulations. The character of the placental lesions, rather than the mere presence of placental lesions apparently determined the transfer of immunoglobulins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Differences in placental structure during gestation associated with large and small pig fetuses

The efficiency of nutrient transport from the pregnant female pig to the developing fetus depends on the size and function of the placenta. It has been reported that maternal and fetal blood vessels are arranged in a cross-countercurrent arrangement within placental microscopic folds. Thus, the blood supplies are in close apposition to each other within these microscopic folds, and maternal and fetal blood flows in approximately opposite directions perpendicular to the plane of the placenta. This arrangement indicates that the width of the microscopic folds influences placental efficiency. The objective of this study was to determine whether differences in pig placental microscopic fold development are associated with differences in fetal size or are influenced by selection for ovulation rate or uterine capacity. Gilts from a randomly selected control line, a line selected for ovulation rate, and a line selected for uterine capacity were slaughtered, and uterine wall samples were collected within the placentas associated with the largest and smallest fetuses in each litter on d 45, 65, 85, and 105 of gestation. The uterine wall samples were processed for histology and analyzed using computer-assisted morphometry. Average width of the placental folds and average width of the placental stroma above the folds were measured. To measure fold complexity, the length of the epithelial bilayer for a given length of placenta was also measured. The width of the folded bilayer increased significantly from d 65 to 105 and was greater in placentas associated with small fetuses compared with large fetuses on d 105 of gestation. In contrast, the width of the placental stroma above the folded bilayer decreased with gestation and decreased more rapidly in placenta associated with the smallest compared with the largest fetus. These results indicate that the width of the microscopic folds of the placental trophoblast/endometrial epithelial bilayer is increased in placenta associated with small fetuses, which we hypothesize will increase the surface area for interaction between maternal and fetal blood supplies, thus improving placental efficiency in response to reduced placental size.     

Chronic heat stress and prenatal development in sheep: I. Conceptus growth and maternal plasma hormones and metabolites

Pregnant ewes were chronically exposed to thermoneutral (TN; 20 degrees C, 30% relative humidity) or hot (H; 40 degrees C 9 h/d, 30 degrees C 15 h/d, 40% relative humidity) environments between d 64 and 136 to 141 of pregnancy. They were sampled for blood at 14-d intervals during this period for measurement of plasma metabolites and hormones, then slaughtered and dissected to measure conceptus weights, dimensions and fetal organ weights. Rectal temperatures of H ewes were elevated .3 to 1.0 C degrees above those of TN ewes throughout the experiment. Voluntary feed intakes were not altered by heat exposure except after 120 d of pregnancy, when feed intake was about 25% lower (P less than .10) by H than by TN ewes. Blood 3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were not affected by heat, but plasma glucose concentrations were greater in H than in TN animals after 120 d (P less than .05). Placental weight, reduced by 54% (P less than .001) by heat exposure of ewes, was correlated positively with fetal weight and correlated negatively with fetal/placental weight ratio, fetal brain/liver weight ratio and fetal relative heart weight. Late in pregnancy, plasma concentrations of progesterone, cortisol and placental lactogen were reduced (P less than .01) in H ewes, whereas triiodothyronine levels were markedly lower (P less than .03) at all stages of pregnancy. Plasma concentrations of prolactin were elevated dramatically (P less than .01) and a modest increase (P less than .03) in somatotropin levels was recorded in H ewes. These results are consistent with our hypothesis that heat-induced fetal growth retardation is secondary to a primary reduction in placental growth; this could be mediated partly by reduced peripheral activity of thyroid hormones. Heat-induced reductions in secretion of progesterone and ovine placental lactogen more likely were a consequence than a cause of placental stunting.     

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.     

Relationships among steroid hormone levels in newborn piglets,birth weight,placental weight,vitality of offspring and litter size

Blood estrone sulfate (E₁S), estrone (E₁), estradiol (E₂) and progesterone (P₄) in newborn piglets were measured to clarify the relationships among birth and placental weight, vitality of offspring and litter size. First, the association between vital status (normal, weak and stillborn) from 165 newborn piglets of 18 litters and steroid concentrations; second, steroid concentrations from 152 newborn normal piglets and litter size; and third, steroid content in fetal placenta from 50 newborn normal piglets of six litters and litter size, were investigated. In the normal group, the birth and placental weight were significantly higher than those in the other groups. Blood E₁S levels in the stillborn group were significantly lower, whereas E₁, E₂ and P₄ were significantly higher compared to the normal group. Blood and placental E₁S levels in the small litter group were significantly higher than those in the other groups. However, there was no significant difference among the three litter size groups in the levels of steroid hormones in maternal blood. These results indicate that vitality of newborn piglets is related to E₁S concentration of neonate, to birth weight and placental weight. However, steroid hormone concentrations of newborn piglets were greatly affected by the number of littermates.     

Effects of isulin-like growth factor-I on maternal and fetal plasma amino acid levels in pregnant rats

Pregnant rats were subcutaneously administered with recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (rhIGF-I) in doses of 0 (control), 1, 2, and 4 microg/g body weight per day from day 18 to 21 of pregnancy. On day 21 of pregnancy, maternal and fetal plasma samples were collected and those amino acid levels were measured. The ratios of fetal/maternal plasma amino acids, especially leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine, increased in 2 microg rhIGF-I treated group. Both total fetal weight and total placental weight were also higher than those in the control group. These results suggested that IGF-I enhanced fetal growth by, as one of its possible mechanisms, promoting placental amino acid supplies from the mother to fetuses.     

Genetic analysis of litter size in Targhee, Suffolk, and Polypay sheep

Data on litter size, weaning weights at 60, 90, and 120 d, postweaning gains from weaning to 120 or 365 d of age, fleece weight, and fiber diameter from Targhee, Suffolk, and Polypay flocks participating in the U.S. National Sheep Improvement Program were used to estimate genetic parameters for litter size and genetic relationships between early-life traits and future litter size. Records on 7,591 lambings by 3,131 Targhee ewes, 10,295 lambings by 5,038 Suffolk ewes, and 6,061 lambings by 2,709 Polypay ewes were used. Heritability estimates for litter size ranged from .09 to .11 across breeds; repeatability ranged from .09 to .13. Additive genetic effects on litter size were generally positively, and occasionally significantly, correlated with animal additive genetic effects on weaning weights and postweaning gains. Genetic correlations (r(a)) ranged from .08 to .48 in Targhee and from .17 to .43 in Suffolk but were close to 0 in Polypay (-.14 to .09). Additive maternal effects on weaning weight were positively associated with litter size in Suffolk and Polypay; this correlation was negative (-.23 to -.35), but not significant, in Targhee. Fleece weight was not strongly associated with litter size; (r(a) = -.09 to .21). However, fiber diameter had a significant undesirable correlation with litter size (.30) in Targhee. Estimates of phenotypic correlations of litter size with early-life traits were uniformly small (-.02 to .08). Thus, although occasional genetic antagonisms between litter size and early-life traits were observed in these data, none appeared large enough to prevent simultaneous genetic improvement in both traits.     

The concentration of bovine placental lactogen and the incidence of different forms in fetal cotyledons and in fetal serum

The concentration of bovine placental lactogen (bPL) was determined in fetal placentomes, allantoic fluid, amniotic fluid, maternal and fetal plasma throughout pregnancy. In addition, chromatofocusing chromatography was used to separate the different forms of bPL found both in fetal serum and in placental homogenates in order to determine whether the different forms that have been reported to exist in the cotyledon are also found in the fetal circulation. Reproductive tracts were collected from cows between 109 and 247 days of pregnancy. The concentration of bPL in the fetal cotyledonary tissue was measured by both radioreceptor assay and radioimmunoassay, both assays showed that the concentration of bPL in the fetal portion of the placentomes remained constant throughout the period of pregnancy tested. The mass of the placenta increased approximately 10-fold during the period of study but the concentration of bPL in the maternal plasma was low (0.9±0.1 ng/ml) at all stages of pregnancy tested. The mean concentration of bPL (Mean ± S.E.M.) in amniotic and allantoic fluid was 0.4±0.1 and 1.2±0.2 ng/ml respectively. Fetal blood contained the highest concentrations of bPL, from 11.6 to 18.4 ng/ml, and the concentration tended to decrease with advancing gestation (slope = 0.07, P = 0.001). Several forms of bPL were found in the fetal circulation; however, a higher percentage of forms with more acidic isoelectric points were found in the fetal serum than in placental homogenates. These results suggest that either some forms of bPL are more stable or that the hormone isolated from placental tissue is not representative of the final secreted product.