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Maternal undernutrition during mid-pregnancy in sheep: variable effects on placental growth

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

G. J. McCrabb ,
A. R. Egan  and
B. J. Hosking
G. J. McCrabb
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture and Forestry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
A. R. Egan
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture and Forestry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
B. J. Hosking
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture and Forestry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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Summary

The effect of maternal undernutrition between the 30th and 96th day of pregnancy on placental growth in single-bearing ewes was determined separately in two experiments in consecutive years (1986 and 1987) at Mount Derrimut Field Station, Deer Park, Australia. In the first experiment, placental growth measured on the 96th day of pregnancy was reduced (473 v. 596 g) by maternal undernutrition, while in the second, placental growth was increased (600 v. 496 g). Foetal weight and its linear dimensions on the 96th day of pregnancy were not significantly affected by maternal u dernutrition in either experiment. The only significant difference in the animals and experimental conditions between the two studies was the liveweight of the ewes at mating, which was c. 10 kg higher in the second experiment compared with the first (P < 0·01). Body condition score and the change in condition score during the respective nutritional treatments were not significantly different between the two experiments. The results suggest that maternal liveweight, possibly body reserves not quantifiable by condition score, protects and even enhances placental growth during a period of maternal undernutrition.

Type
Animals
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 118 , Issue 1 , February 1992 , pp. 127 - 132
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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