The effect of maternal nutrition level during the periconception period on fetal muscle development and plasma hormone concentrations in sheep

Abstract

The effect of maternal nutrition level during the periconception period on the muscle development of fetus and maternal-fetal plasma hormone concentrations in sheep were examined. Estrus was synchronized in 55 Karayaka ewes and were either fed ad libitum (well-fed, WF, n = 23) or 0.5 × maintenance (under-fed, UF, n = 32) 6 days before and 7 days after mating. Non-pregnant ewes (WF, n = 13; UF, n = 24) and ewes carrying twins (WF, n = 1) and female (WF, n = 1; UF, n = 3) fetuses were removed from the experiment. The singleton male fetuses from well-fed (n = 8) and under-fed (n = 5) ewes were collected on day 90 of gestation and placental characteristics, fetal BWs and dimensions, fetal organs and muscles weights were recorded. Maternal (on day 7 after mating) and fetal (on day 90 of pregnancy) blood samples were collected to analyze plasma hormone concentrations. Placental characteristics, BW and dimensions, organs and muscles weights of fetuses were not affected by maternal feed intake during the periconception period. Maternal nutrition level did not affect fiber numbers and the muscle cross-sectional area of the fetal longissimus dorsi (LD), semitendinosus (ST) muscles, but the cross-sectional area of the secondary fibers in the fetal LD and ST muscles from the UF ewes were higher than those from the WF ewes ( P < 0.05). Also, the ratio of secondary to primary fibers in the ST muscle were tended to be lower in the fetuses from the UF ewes ( P = 0.07). Maternal nutrition level during the periconception period did not cause any significant changes in fetal plasma insulin and maternal and fetal plasma IGF-I, cortisol, progesterone, free T3 and T4 concentrations. However, maternal cortisol concentrations were lower while insulin concentrations were higher in the WF ewes than those in the UF ewes ( P < 0.05). These results indicate that the reduced maternal feed intake during the periconception period may alter muscle fiber diameter without affecting fiber types, fetal weights and organ developments and plasma hormone concentrations in the fetus.

Ergot alkaloid exposure during gestation alters: 3. Fetal growth, muscle fiber development, and miRNA transcriptome1

“…fetuses. In contrast, maternal undernutrition during early gestation (<90 d) increased primary fiber number in STN (Fahey et al, 2005a;Sen et al, 2016). Secondary (Type II) fiber number was greater (P = 0.027) in fetuses from ewes fed E+ fescue seed during LATE gestation only (E−/ E+) compared with E−/E− (Fig.…”

“…Our results show that E+ fescue exposure during both MID (days 35 to 85) and LATE (days 85 to 133) gestation reduced primary fiber number in STN. In the sheep, primary myogenesis is estimated to be complete by days 32 to 38 of gestation (Oksbjerg and Therkildsen, 2017), and secondary myogenesis is estimated to be complete by 85 to 90 d of gestation (Fahey et al, 2005b;Sen et al, 2016). Therefore, changes in primary fiber number with exposure to ergot alkaloids suggests heightened transition of primary to secondary fibers during both MID and LATE gestation in Suffolk lambs.…”

The impact of periconceptional ethanol exposure on maternal and offspring hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and associated behaviours in a rat model

“…Animal models of periconceptional undernutrition have also observed some systemic alterations in offspring including increased fat mass 348,349 , impaired muscle development 350 , increased blood pressure [351][352][353] , altered renal structure and function 354,355 and have significant metabolic outcomes such as impaired glucose and insulin homeostasis 352,356 360,361 , conotruncal heart deficits 362 and gastrointestinal abnormalities including omphalocele and gastroschisis 363 .…”

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“…Maternal restriction during periconception period (six days before and 7 days after mating) may alter muscle fiber diameter without affecting fiber types (SEN et al, 2016b) and maternal overnutrition from 18 days before and six days after ovulation increased total muscle fiber numbers and secondary fiber numbers (QUIGLEY et al, 2005). Prenatal nutrition restriction produces six months old lambs with heavier semitendinous muscle weight, larger muscle fiber diameters and shorter sarcomere length but does not affect carcass characteristics (NODBY et al, 1987).…”

“…Maternal undernutrition (50% maintenance requirements) during periconception period (SEN et al, 2016b) or mid-gestation (SEN et al, 2016a) did not influenced organ development (heart, liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain and testes). However, overnutrition at 150% of NRC recommendation during periconception period can increase fetal heart, pancreas, and liver weights, as well as lipid content of fetal liver (GEORGE et al, 2010).…”