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University of Connecticut

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Sheep

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The Effects Of Poor Maternal Nutrition During Gestation In Sheep On The Reproductive Efficiency Of The Offspring, Morgan Dougherty May 2022

The Effects Of Poor Maternal Nutrition During Gestation In Sheep On The Reproductive Efficiency Of The Offspring, Morgan Dougherty

Honors Scholar Theses

Poor maternal nutrition during gestation negatively impacts fetal programming and the development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in the offspring. Reproductive health of ewes can be characterized by concentrations of reproductive hormones including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and progesterone, particularly during the estrous cycle. We hypothesized that ewes born to dams that experienced poor maternal nutrition during gestation would have reduced reproductive capability and efficiency. This means that they would take longer to become pregnant and have reduced concentrations of reproductive hormones compared with those born to mothers fed the control diet. Pregnant dams (F0) were fed one …


The Effects Of Poor Maternal Nutrition During Gestation On Colostrum And Milk Quality And Immunoglobulin G Concentrations In Sheep, Alexandra Bettencourt May 2021

The Effects Of Poor Maternal Nutrition During Gestation On Colostrum And Milk Quality And Immunoglobulin G Concentrations In Sheep, Alexandra Bettencourt

Honors Scholar Theses

Maternal over- and under-nutrition have negative effects on the growth and development of offspring. Colostrum and milk are critical to neonatal development, and composition and quality of colostrum and milk may be influenced by maternal factors, including diet. In this study, 46 pregnant ewes received one of three diets, 60% (RES), 100% (CON), or 140% (OVER) of National Research Council (NRC) nutrition requirements for total digestible nutrients from d 30 of gestation until parturition. Colostrum samples were collected within 24 hours of parturition. Milk samples were collected on d 3 and d 21 postpartum. Total solid concentrations of samples were …


Poor Maternal Nutrition During Gestation Alters Placental Igf-I, Igf-Ii, And Igfbp-3 Mrna Expression In Sheep, Caitlyn Splaine Apr 2020

Poor Maternal Nutrition During Gestation Alters Placental Igf-I, Igf-Ii, And Igfbp-3 Mrna Expression In Sheep, Caitlyn Splaine

Honors Scholar Theses

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF) modulate placental and fetal growth and development through nutrient sensing and endocrine signaling. We hypothesized that poor maternal nutrition during gestation would alter IGF-I, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-2, and IGFBP-3 mRNA expression in the ovine placenta, but would not affect IGF-II mRNA expression. Pregnant ewes (n=57) were individually fed: 60% (restricted fed; RES), 100% (control fed; CON), or 140% (over fed; OVER) of National Research Council requirements for TDN starting at day 30±0.2 of gestation. Ewes were euthanized and cotyledon and caruncle samples were collected at days 45, 90, and 135 of gestation. Relative mRNA expression …


The Effects Of Maternal Diet During Gestation On Postnatal Growth Of Lambs And On Metabolic Hormones In Lambs And Ewes, Amanda R. Fox May 2013

The Effects Of Maternal Diet During Gestation On Postnatal Growth Of Lambs And On Metabolic Hormones In Lambs And Ewes, Amanda R. Fox

Honors Scholar Theses

Fetal programming is defined as when a stimulus at a vital stage of development results in permanent effects that persist throughout the lifetime of the individual (Lucas, 1991). There is evidence that poor maternal diet, consisting of both undernutrition and overnutrition, during gestation has permanent negative effects on the growth and development of offspring through fetal programming. Fetal programming enhances the ability of the fetus to absorb and use nutrients while in-utero, ensuring postpartum survival (Hales and Barker, 1992). However, in a postnatal environment where nutrition is plentiful, fetal programming results in negative health consequences (Wu et al., 2006). We …


Effects Of Poor Maternal Nutrition On Gh, Igf-I, Igfbp-2 And -3, Insulin, And Leptin Concentrations In Pregnant Ewes, Michelle E. Forella May 2013

Effects Of Poor Maternal Nutrition On Gh, Igf-I, Igfbp-2 And -3, Insulin, And Leptin Concentrations In Pregnant Ewes, Michelle E. Forella

Honors Scholar Theses

Maternal hormones impact fetal growth and development through their effect on nutrient partitioning and placental development. Maternal diet is one factor regulating maternal hormone concentrations. We hypothesized that during gestation, diet alters concentrations of maternal metabolic hormones. Pregnant ewes (n=36; 12/treatment) were individually fed 1 of 3 diets [100% (CON), 140% (OVER), or 60% (RES) NRC requirements] from wk 5 of gestation until parturition. Weekly blood samples (20 mL) were obtained via jugular venipuncture and BW was measured. Concentrations of GH, IGF-I and leptin were determined by RIA. Insulin was determined by ELISA. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. By the …