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Effect of high-glycaemic meals in the last trimester of pregnancy on offspring birth weight and postnatal growth in sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 January 2009

N. A. Smith ,
F. M. McAuliffe ,
K. Quinn ,
P. Lonergan  and
A. C. O. Evans
N. A. Smith
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
F. M. McAuliffe
Affiliation:
School of Medicine and Medical Science, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
K. Quinn
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
P. Lonergan
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
A. C. O. Evans
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
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Abstract

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Experimental evidence indicates a direct relationship between maternal glucose levels and infant birth weight in human subjects(Reference Metzger, Lowe and Dyer1). The present study has investigated whether feeding hyperglycaemic meals in the third trimester of pregnancy in the ewe results in heavier lambs at birth with faster growth rates in early postnatal life.

For the last trimester of pregnancy (days 98–147 of gestation) ewes were blocked on weight, age and litter size and randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 100 ml propylene glycol (PG) twice daily (n 50); 100 ml water twice daily (control (C); n 52). On days 110 and 140 of gestation a subsample of ewes from each of the two treatment groups (twelve per group) were randomly selected and blood samples were collected every 30–60 min for 17 h to determine the ewe's glucose and insulin response to PG or water (Figure). The birth weight and gender of the lambs were recorded. Body dimensions were also measured and a ponderal index was calculated as weight/height3. The offspring were weighed at intervals of 8 weeks from birth until slaughter at a live weight of about 40 kg.

Oral administration of PG resulted in elevated plasma glucose and insulin concentrations for 2 h post administration compared with C ewes. Lambs (C, n 80; PG, n 70) born to ewes fed high-glycaemic meals had a higher birth weight (kg; PG, 5.27 (se 0.11); C, 5.01 (se 0.09); P=0.032), higher basal plasma glucose concentrations (mm/l; PG, 3.88 (se 0.29); C, 2.87 (se 0.17); P<0.001), ponderal index (P=0.043) and reached a similar (P>0.05) slaughter weight (20.0–20.6 kg) at an earlier age (d; PG, 166.0 (se 6.75); C, 183.4 (se 7.02); P=0.039) when compared with the C group.

In conclusion, feeding high-glycaemic meals to ewes in the third trimester of pregnancy resulted in offspring with a heavier birth weight, higher basal plasma glucose concentrations and faster growth rates in early postnatal life.

Figure.

Glucose and insulin concentrations on day 109 of gestation in ewes administered propylene glycol (PG; n 12) or water (n 12) daily from day 98 of gestation. Ewes received 100 ml PG or water (control) at 08.00 hours and again at 16.00 hours. The response to propylene glycol or water was calculated as area under the curve for the 2 h post administration. Values are means with their standard errors represented by vertical bars.

References

1. Metzger, BE, Lowe, LP, Dyer, AR et al. (2008) N Engl J Med 358, 1991–2002.Google Scholar
Figure 0

Figure. Glucose and insulin concentrations on day 109 of gestation in ewes administered propylene glycol (PG; n 12) or water (n 12) daily from day 98 of gestation. Ewes received 100 ml PG or water (control) at 08.00 hours and again at 16.00 hours. The response to propylene glycol or water was calculated as area under the curve for the 2 h post administration. Values are means with their standard errors represented by vertical bars.