316. MATERNAL DIETARY ARGININE SUPPLEMENTATION DURING LATE GESTATION IMPROVES REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN PIGS

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
M. J. De Blasio ◽  
C. T. Roberts ◽  
K. Kind ◽  
R. Smits ◽  
M. Nottle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Critical Periods ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Pregnant Rats ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Arginine Supplementation

Arginine (a non-essential amino acid) and its conversion to nitric oxide (NO) can promote formation of new blood vessels and cause vasodilation. This may reduce resistance and increase blood flow to the uterus and placenta, and the delivery of nutrients for fetal growth and survival. In pregnant rats, dietary arginine deficiency causes IUGR and increases fetal death and perinatal mortality, whereas dietary arginine supplementation reverses this. Human IUGR is associated with impaired NO synthesis, and eNOS activity in umbilical vein endothelial cells, but maternal arginine supplements have produced inconclusive results. We hypothesised that maternal arginine supplementation (MAS) in the pig (a species with naturally occurring IUGR), during late gestation, when placental angiogenesis and vascularity increase, would increase birth and placental weights. Large White (LW) and Landrace (LR) gilts (n = 285) and sows (n = 326), were fed either a control or arginine supplemented (+25 g/d arginine, Nutreco Progenos premix) diet (2.5 kg/d) in late gestation (d75-term at ~114 days). Number born, born alive, still born and mummified, birth weight and d10 weight of progeny were measured. Data were analysed using Univariate ANOVA. MAS in late gestation in gilts and sows reduced the number of still born (Con: 1.17 ± 0.13 piglets/litter; Arg: 0.84 ± 0.09 piglets/litter; P = 0.046). In LW gilts, MAS increased birth weight (Con: 1.21 ± 0.05kg; Arg: 1.34 ± 0.05kg; P < 0.05), and litter birth weight (Con: 13.38 ± 0.72 kg; Arg: 15.27 ± 0.73 kg; P < 0.05). MAS also increased birth weight in LW (Con: 1.17 ± 0.06 kg; Arg: 1.30 ± 0.06 kg; P < 0.05) and LR (Con: 1.47 ± 0.05 kg; Arg: 1.60 ± 0.05 kg; P < 0.05) sows, and reduced still borns in LW sows (Con: 1.12 ± 0.14 piglets/litter; Arg: 0.77 ± 0.09 piglets/litter; P < 0.05). MAS in late gestation improves pregnancy outcomes in terms of piglet survival and birth weight, in LW and LR gilts and sows. MAS during critical periods of placental development may enhance placental-fetal blood flow and nutrient transfer, thereby improving fetal growth and survival.

scholarly journals Placental corticotrophin releasing hormone is a modulator of fetal liver blood perfusion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoru Ikenoue ◽  
Feizal Waffarn ◽  
Masanao Ohashi ◽  
Mamoru Tanaka ◽  
Daniel L Gillen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Liver Blood Flow ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Ductus Venosus ◽  
Maternal Circulation ◽  
Releasing Hormone

Abstract Context Variation in fetal liver blood flow influences fetal growth and postnatal body composition. Placental corticotrophin-releasing hormone has been implicated as a key mediator of placental-fetal perfusion. Objective To determine whether circulating levels of placental corticotrophin-releasing hormone across gestation are associated with variations in fetal liver blood flow. Design Prospective cohort study Methods Fetal ultrasonography was performed at 30 weeks’ gestation to characterize fetal liver blood flow (quantified by subtracting ductus venosus flow from umbilical vein flow). Placental corticotrophin-releasing hormone was measured in maternal circulation at approximately 12, 20 and 30 weeks’ gestation. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the proportion of variation in fetal liver blood flow explained by placental corticotrophin-releasing hormone. Co-variates included maternal age, parity, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, and fetal sex. Results A total of 79 uncomplicated singleton pregnancies were analyzed. Fetal liver blood flow was 68.4 ± 36.0 ml/min (mean ± SD). Placental corticotrophin-releasing hormone concentrations at 12, 20 and 30 weeks were 12.5 ± 8.1, 35.7 ± 24.5 and 247.9 ± 167.8 pg/ml, respectively. Placental corticotrophin-releasing hormone at 30 weeks, but not at 12 and 20 weeks, was significantly and positively associated with fetal liver blood flow at 30 weeks (r = 0.319, p = 0.004), and explained 10.4% of the variance in fetal liver blood flow. Conclusions Placental corticotrophin-releasing hormone in late gestation is a possible modulator of fetal liver blood flow, and may constitute a biochemical marker in clinical investigations of fetal growth and body composition.

scholarly journals 27 Defining a robust sow: swine nutrition perspective on reproduction and lactation

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 13-13
Author(s):  
Joel M DeRouchey ◽  
Mike D Tokach ◽  
Robert D Goodband ◽  
Jason C Woodworth ◽  
Steve S Dritz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mammary Development ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Embryo Survival

Abstract Improvements in modern sow prolificacy have markedly increased the number of pigs weaned, thus the ability of sows to provide nutrients to support fetal growth and milk production has been enhanced. The goals of the gestation nutrition program consist of meeting the nutrient requirements for maintenance and growth and for adequate conceptus development, while managing body condition. Early gestation represents the best opportunity for replenishing body reserves, whereas in late gestation, both estimated protein deposition and energy requirement are exponentially increased and directed towards fetal growth and mammary development. Increased feed intake after breeding has been presumed to be detrimental to embryo survival; however, data with modern line sows demonstrates to feed thin sows to recover body condition as quickly as possible while avoiding feed deprivation immediately after breeding. Importance of body condition scoring remains unchanged: feed thin sows to bring back to adequate body condition and prevent over-conditioned sows at farrowing. A recent meta-analysis showed increasing late gestation feed intake seems to modestly improve piglet birth weight by 28 g per piglet in gilts and sows. Also, recent findings in gestating sows suggest modern genotypes have improved feed efficiency and propensity for growth. Therefore, increasing energy intake during late gestation has a modest effect on piglet birth weight and a negative effect on stillborn rate. Historically, lactation catabolism impacted subsequent reproductive performance of sows, particularly in first-parity. However, contemporary sows appear to be increasingly resistant to the negative effects of lactational catabolism. Even so, continued emphasis on maximizing lactation feed intake is critical to support milk production and prevent excessive lean tissue mobilization. Research data suggests that ad libitum feeding and offering lactation diets during the wean-to-estrus interval is not needed. Modern genetic sow lines appear to be more robust from a nutritional perspective than in the past.

scholarly journals Fetal Thyroid Hormone Level at Birth Is Associated with Fetal Growth

2011 ◽  
Vol 96 (6) ◽  
pp. E934-E938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beverley M. Shields ◽  
Beatrice A. Knight ◽  
Anita Hill ◽  
Andrew T. Hattersley ◽  
Bijay Vaidya
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Cord Blood ◽  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Free T4 ◽  
Skeletal Size ◽  
Fetal Thyroid

Context: Thyroid function is known to play an important role in fetal neurological development, but its role in regulating fetal growth is not well established. Overt maternal and fetal thyroid disorders are associated with reduced birth weight. We hypothesized that, even in the absence of overt thyroid dysfunction, maternal and fetal thyroid function influence fetal growth. Aim: In normal, healthy pregnancies, we aimed to assess whether fetal thyroid hormone at birth (as measured in cord blood) is associated with fetal growth. We also aimed to study whether fetal thyroid hormone at birth is associated with maternal thyroid hormone in the third trimester. Methods: In 616 healthy mother-child pairs, TSH, free T4 (FT4), and free T3 (FT3) were measured in mothers at 28 wk gestation and in umbilical cord blood at birth. Birth weight, length, head circumference, and tricep and bicep skinfold thicknesses were measured on the babies. Results: Cord FT4 was associated with birth weight (r = 0.25; P &lt; 0.001), length (r = 0.17; P &lt; 0.001), and sum of skinfolds (r = 0.19; P &lt; 0.001). There were no associations between birth measurements and either cord TSH or cord FT3. Maternal FT4 and cord FT4 were correlated (r = 0.14; P = 0.0004), and there were weaker negative associations between maternal TSH and cord FT4 (r = −0.08; P = 0.04) and FT3 (r = −0.10; P = 0.01). Conclusion: Associations between cord FT4 and birth size suggest that fetal thyroid function may be important in regulating fetal growth, both of skeletal size and fat. The correlation between third-trimester maternal FT4 and cord FT4 supports the belief that maternal T4 crosses the placenta even in late gestation.

scholarly journals 298 Effects of parity on late gestational uterine blood flow and hemodynamics in beef cattle

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 137-138
Author(s):  
Allison M Meyer ◽  
Natalie B Duncan ◽  
Katy S Stoecklein ◽  
Emma L Stephenson
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Pulsatility Index ◽  
Uterine Artery ◽  
Color Doppler ◽  
Peak Systolic Velocity ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Artery Blood Flow ◽  
Diastolic Velocity

Abstract To determine parity effects on late gestational uteroplacental blood flow, uterine artery hemodynamics were measured in 13 primiparous and 11 multiparous (parity 3 and 4) non-lactating, fall-calving crossbred females beginning 109 d prepartum. Females were nutritionally managed as one group to meet or exceed nutrient requirements. Transrectal color Doppler ultrasonography of the both uterine arteries was conducted 3 to 6 times per female across late gestation, ending at approximately 20 d prepartum. Data were analyzed with parity (primiparous vs. multiparous), day prior to calving, and their interaction in the model; day was a repeated effect. Dam BW was greater (P &lt; 0.001) for multiparous than primiparous females, and increased (P = 0.004) as gestation progressed. Calf birth weight was unaffected (P = 0.87) by parity. The parity x day interaction tended to affect (P = 0.06) ipsilateral uterine artery blood flow (L/min), where multiparous cows had a greater increase per day. Total and contralateral uterine artery blood flow were unaffected (P ≥ 0.11) by parity, but increased (P &lt; 0.001) with day of gestation. When expressed relative to dam BW, total and contralateral blood flow were greater (P ≤ 0.04) in primiparous than multiparous females; ipsilateral blood flow was unaffected (P ≥ 0.13) by parity, however. Ipsilateral pulsatility index and both resistance indices were unaffected (P ≥ 0.28) by parity and day, but day tended to affect (P = 0.07) contralateral pulsatility index. Parity did not affect (P ≥ 0.11) cross-sectional area, mean velocity, peak systolic velocity, and end diastolic velocity of either uterine artery, but all increased (P &lt; 0.001) as gestation progressed. Heart rate was greater (P = 0.03) in primiparous than multiparous females. Data suggest that uterine artery blood flow and heart rate may be altered in primiparous females, even when birth weight is unaffected by parity.

Role of leukocytes in uterine hypoperfusion and fetal growth retardation induced by ischemia-reperfusion

2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (3) ◽  
pp. H1215-H1221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kei Miyakoshi ◽  
Hitoshi Ishimoto ◽  
Osamu Nishimura ◽  
Shinji Tanigaki ◽  
Mamoru Tanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Growth Retardation ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Fetal Growth Retardation ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Pregnant Rats ◽  
Doppler Flowmetry ◽  
Leukocyte Accumulation ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats

We investigated leukocyte involvement in uterine hypoperfusion and intrauterine fetal growth retardation (IUGR) induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in Sprague-Dawley rats. On day 17 of gestation, leukocyte accumulation in the uterus and placenta subjected to 30 min of ischemia, followed by reperfusion, was assessed by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Uterine MPO activity was significantly higher after 1 h of reperfusion than it was before ischemia ( P < 0.05), without any increase in placental MPO activity. Immunohistochemical staining showed leukocyte accumulation in the uterus subjected to I/R. The effects of treatment with monoclonal antibodies against CD11a (WT1) and CD18 (WT3) at a dose of 0.8 mg/kg on uterine blood flow and IUGR were investigated. Laser-Doppler flowmetry demonstrated that uterine hypoperfusion at 2 h after ischemia (blood flow, −51.7 ± 1.2%; P < 0.01) was inhibited by WT1 and WT3 treatment. I/R-induced IUGR at full term ( P < 0.05 vs. nonischemic horn) was prevented by WT1 and WT3 treatment on day 17. These results indicate that leukocyte accumulation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of uterine hypoperfusion and IUGR induced by I/R in pregnant rats.

scholarly journals EP12.09: Umbilical vein blood flow at 11-13 weeks of gestation in twin pregnancy is associated with fetal growth

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 252-252
Author(s):  
M. Goto ◽  
H. Takita ◽  
T. Arakaki ◽  
M. Tokunaka ◽  
T. Oba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Twin Pregnancy ◽  
Umbilical Vein

scholarly journals Nutrient partitioning during adolescent pregnancy

Reproduction ◽  
2001 ◽  
pp. 347-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Wallace ◽  
D Bourke ◽  
P Da Silva ◽  
R Aitken
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Pregnancy Outcome ◽  
Adolescent Mothers ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy Outcome ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Gravid Uterus ◽  
Maternal Body ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Nutrient Partitioning

Human adolescent mothers have an increased risk of delivering low birth weight and premature infants with high mortality rates within the first year of life. Studies using a highly controlled adolescent sheep paradigm demonstrate that, in young growing females, the hierarchy of nutrient partitioning during pregnancy is altered to promote growth of the maternal body at the expense of the gradually evolving nutrient requirements of the gravid uterus and mammary gland. Thus, overnourishing adolescent dams throughout pregnancy results in a major restriction in placental mass, and leads to a significant decrease in birth weight relative to adolescent dams receiving a moderate nutrient intake. High maternal intakes are also associated with increased rates of spontaneous abortion in late gestation and, for ewes delivering live young, with a reduction in the duration of gestation and in the quality and quantity of colostrum accumulated prenatally. As the adolescent dams are of equivalent age at the time of conception, these studies indicate that nutritional status during pregnancy rather than biological immaturity predisposes the rapidly growing adolescents to adverse pregnancy outcome. Nutrient partitioning between the maternal body and gravid uterus is putatively orchestrated by a number of endocrine hormones and, in this review, the roles of both maternal and placental hormones in the regulation of placental and fetal growth in this intriguing adolescent paradigm are discussed. Impaired placental growth, particularly of the fetal component of the placenta, is the primary constraint to fetal growth during late gestation in the overnourished dams and nutritional switch-over studies indicate that high nutrient intakes during the second two-thirds of pregnancy are most detrimental to pregnancy outcome. In addition, it may be possible to alter the nutrient transport function of the growth-restricted placenta in that the imposition of a catabolic phase during the final third of pregnancy in previously rapidly growing dams results in a modest increase in lamb birth weight.

Infant birth weight is related to maternal arterial oxygenation at high altitude

1982 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 695-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. Moore ◽  
S. S. Rounds ◽  
D. Jahnigen ◽  
R. F. Grover ◽  
J. T. Reeves
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Growth Retardation ◽  
Hemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Fetal Growth Retardation ◽  
Arterial Oxygenation ◽  
Maternal Characteristics ◽  
Infant Birth

Infant birth weight is reported to decrease at high altitude as a reulst of fetal growth retardation (McCullough, Reeves, and Liljegren. Arch. Environ, Health. 32: 36--39, 1977) but not all babies born at high altitude are small. We hypothesized that maternal characteristics acting to lower arterial O2 content would contribute to smaller infant birth weight. To test this hypothesis, we measured arterial oxygenation serially during pregnancy and again postpartum in 44 residents of Leadville, CO (elevation 3,100 m). We identified three maternal characteristics--ventilation, hemoglobin concentration, and smoking habits--that were related to the birth weight of the offspring. Mothers of smaller babies (less than 2,900 g) compared to mothers of larger babies (greater than 3,500 g) were characterized by hypoventilation, no change or a decrease in ventilation and arterial O2 saturation from early to late gestation, and a falling hemoglobin concentration that combined to lower arterial O2 content in the 3rd trimester. Maternal smoking at 3,100 m was associated with a two to threefold greater reduction in infant birth weight (-546 g) than reported from sea level. Thus, maternal arterial oxygenation during pregnancy may be important for predicting fetal growth retardation and the process of adaptation to high altitude.

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