Nutrition Commons^™

Estradiol’S Role In Timely Puberty Onset In The Ewe, Eliana Gerardine Aerts

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

In female sheep, the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus triggers luteinizing hormone (LH) to be released from the pituitary. Luteinizing hormone, in turn, acts on the ovaries to elicit estradiol (E₂) release. E₂ acts in a negative feedback manner to control the amount of LH released. The increase in LH release that drives puberty onset results from a decrease in sensitivity to E₂ as the animal ages. However, the neural mechanisms mediating this change in sensitivity are not known, as is where in the hypothalamus E₂-negative feedback occurs. In the arcuate …

Addition Of Apple Pomace To Feeding Substrate On Growth, Development, And Survival Rates Of Yellow Mealworms (Tenebrio Molitor) And Characterization Of Their Proteins Extracted By A Ph-Shift Process, Michelle Duvall

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The weight changes, survival/mortality rates, and proximate compositions of Tenebrio molitor (yellow mealworm) larvae whose diets were supplemented with apple pomace were analyzed after a 4-week feeding study to examine the nutritional quality of the insects for use as a future potential food source. Going forward, the terms “mealworm(s)”, "yellow mealworm(s)”, “T. molitor” will be used interchangeably and will always refer to the same species. The mealworm larvae were randomly divided into two groups: in addition to standard worm chow, one group was given 15 g/week of non-nutritive water-storing polymer crystals and the other was given apple pomace …

Needs Assessment Of Diabetes Self-Management Education And Support Within West Virginia From Provider Viewpoints, Kasey M. Yost

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects millions of Americans. It can have significant, lasting effects on an individual’s mental and physical wellbeing, especially when it goes unmanaged or untreated. Diabetes has been a growing problem in West Virginia (WV), which has the highest adult rate of diabetes at 15.7% in the US. Furthermore, WV has the highest mortality rate associated with diabetes at 36.2%. An effective method of management is through diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES). DSMES is a critical component of care for all individuals with diabetes. It is defined as the ongoing process of facilitating …

Psychosocial Influences On And Behavioral Characteristics Of Young Adult Food Addiction, Rachel A. Wattick

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Introduction. Research on food addiction has increased in recent years, but there are few studies focusing on college-attending young adults, who may be at risk of developing food addiction due to the stress of the college environment. Additionally, causes and characteristics of food addiction are under-explored.

Aim. This dissertation aims to 1) determine the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and other early life influences on the development of food addiction in college-attending young adults and 2) determine the psychosocial and behavioral characteristics of young adults with food addiction.

Methods. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was used for aims 1 …

The Process And Case Study Approach To Implementing A Nutrition-Specific Dissemination And Implementation Science Training In Appalachia, Ayron E. Walker

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Introduction: Nutrition professionals face implementation challenges due to their lack of knowledge to incorporate D&I science into intervention design. To improve intervention outcomes, nutrition professionals must be trained in D&I science, which are currently absent in the field.

Aims: To identify and assess nutrition educators and practitioners perceived motivations, self-efficacy, and attitudes in using D&I science to inform the educational design and strategies of a nutrition-specific D&I curriculum for nutrition educators. Then to test feasibility of the nutrition-specific curriculum in increasing knowledge, self-efficacy, and attitudes by a case study approach, pre/post intervention design.

Methods: First, scoping review methodology involved the …

The Application Of Systems Science In Nutrition-Related Behaviors And Outcomes Implementation Research: A Scoping Review, Ayron E. Walker, Rachel A. Wattick, Melissa D. Olfert

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Use of systems science can improve the dissemination and implementation (D&I) process. However, little is known about use of systems science in nutrition D&I research. The purpose of this article is to synthesize the ways in which systems science methodology is applied in nutrition D&I research. Scoping review methodology involved searching 6 academic databases for full-text, peer-reviewed, English articles published between 1970 and 2020 that employed systems science within nutrition D&I research. Data extraction included intervention type, population, study aim, methods, theoretical approach, outcomes, and results. Descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis followed. Thirty-four retained articles qualitatively identified benefits (successful …

Effect Of Diet, Age, And Genetics On Rainbow Trout Growth And Fillet Quality, Bahareh Adami

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

In this study, analyses were conducted to compare fillet quality attributes of 4 rainbow trout families (40, 102, 159, and 187) fed fish meal (FM) and a fishmeal free diet (FMF), to two age endpoints, 9 and 11 months.

Previous studies with rainbow trout have evaluated the effect of age, diet, and family on growth performance and fillet quality. However, a comprehensive analysis of variables is lacking for rainbow trout, one of the main aquatic foods for domestic and international consumers.

Separable muscle as a percent whole body weight was not affected by diet, family, age, and the interaction of …

Evaluation Of A Telenutrition Weight Loss Intervention Among Middle-Aged And Older Men In Appalachia, Afnan Majed Alamoudi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Obesity rates among middle-aged and older men in WV are among the highest in the nation. Understanding baseline and intervention factors contributing to losing clinically significant weight are essential to developing effective interventions in target groups. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine factors associated with losing ≥ 5% of baseline weight among participants of a 12-week pilot randomized controlled telenutrition trial for middle-aged and older men in WV. The study analyzed data from 56 participants who completed the trial. Participants were classified as losing ≥ 5 % or < 5 % of baseline body weight. Diet quality was assessed using 4-day diet records and the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015. Baseline factors and behavioral strategies (i.e., self-monitoring, self-efficacy, and social support) were assessed via survey. Inverse prediction analysis demonstrated that participants who lost ≥ 3.5% of baseline weight at 6 weeks were at least 75% likely to lose ≥ 5% weight at 12 weeks. Predictive models were developed using stepwise logistic regression to assess multiple predictors of losing ≥ 5% of baseline weight at 12 weeks and ≥ 3.5% of baseline at 6 weeks. Weight loss at 6 weeks was a strong predictor of weight loss at 12 weeks, in addition to previous weight loss attempts and weekly self-weight-monitoring (p

Experiences Of Multidisciplinary Health Professionals From A Culinary Medicine Cultural Immersion: Qualitative Analysis, Melissa D. Olfert, Rachel A. Wattick, Rebecca L. Hagedorn

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Purpose: Increasing Culinary Health Opportunities for Professionals (iCHOP) aimed to educate future and current health pro- fessionals on nutrition as medicine. Methods: Two cohorts each participated in a 16-week course followed by a cultural immersion in Tuscany, Italy. The course took place online through West Virginia University. After the course, participants traveled to Tuscany, Italy for a 2-week cultural im- mersion. The online course covered culinary medicine, the Mediterranean Diet, and cultural comparisons. The cultural immersion consisted of hands-on activities including culinary lessons, food production and organic farm tours, and tastings of Mediterranean foods. Data was collected through personal journaling …

Eb4cast Approach Improves Science Communication With Stakeholders In A College-Based Health Program, Melissa D. Olfert, Makenzie L. Barr, Rebecca L. Hagedorn, Rachel A. Wattick, Wenjun Zhou, Tanya M. Horacek, Anne E. Mathews, Kendra K. Kattelmann, Tandalayo Kidd, Adrienne A. White, Onikia N. Brown, Jesse Stabile Morrell, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Karla P. Shelnutt, Carol Byrd-Bredbenner, Terezie Tolar-Peterson, Geoffrey W. Greene, Sarah E. Colby

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Communicating scientific results with community partners is often lacking in intervention programs, thus eB4CAST was developed to facilitate impact sharing. This article investigated using the eB4CAST dissemination tool to communicate impact from a campus-based obesity prevention program. Data from Get Fruved RCT university sites collected at baseline were used to generate eB4CAST reports. Experts (n = 13) and RCT sites (n = 15) were asked to provide feedback on eB4CAST reports based on appeal, understanding, and clarity. On all Likert items, participants rated above 7 on each (out of 10). Positive responses from open-ended questions included eB4CAST reports being clear, …

The Effects Of Internal Physiology On Polyphenic Horn Development In The Dung Beetle Onthophagus Taurus, Naomi Garrett Williamson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

An organism’s phenotype can be affected in development by alterations to gene expression based on environmental inputs. Nutrition is one such environmental input and the central regulator of development of large horn or small horn phenotypes in the dung beetle species, Onthophagus taurus. However, little is known about the nature of chemical compounds that are critical to this plastic horn development. To better understand these compounds, we are utilizing an untargeted metabolomic approach as well as a targeted gene approach. Through the metabolomic approach, it was uncovered that environmental conditions tend to have a greater impact on metabolomic composition …

Developmental Mechanisms For The Diversification Of Polyphenic Morphs In The Head Horn Of Onthophagine Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae Onthophagus Taurus): Plasticity Through Nutrition, Logan Paul Zeigler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Developmental plasticity is the phenotypic variation between organisms that is caused by environmental interactions affecting the developmental systems of organisms. The research focused primarily on nutrition-responsive developmental plasticity. In this research we used the nutritionally determined head horn development of Onthophagus taurus to better understand the developmental mechanisms and genetic underpinnings of nutrition-responsive trait development. We focused specifically on altering the availability of specific nutrition-related primary metabolites, cholesterol and palmitic acid, identified in the activity of The Hedgehog pathway, a critical pathway in head horn development. By altering diet composition using cholesterol, reducing transcript expression of an acyltransferase gene, rasp …

Association Of Diet Quality With Fall Risk Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults In A Fall-Prevention Program, Jae Hyun Kim

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Falls are a serious threat to older adults' quality of life. Evidence is lacking regarding the influence of diet on fall risk factors. This study aims to assess the relationship between diet, functional measures, and fall risk among older adults participating in a fall-prevention intervention. Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from 192 participants with an average age of 70.9 years was conducted using Chi-square tests, t-test, Wilcoxon test, and nominal logistic analysis. Based on Dietary Screening Tool (DST) scores, 39.5% of participants were classified as nutritionally being “at-risk,” 46.1% were at “possible-risk,” and 14.4% were “not-at-risk.” Fall risk was assessed …

Evaluating Inorganic Feed Phosphate Type And Further Potential Of Phytase Supplementation Using A Commercial Broiler Model, Angela Elsie Lamp

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Optimizing feed formulation of poultry diets may be achieved by proper utilization of nutrients and feed additives. This will provide a less expensive and nutrient efficient diet to the bird. An experiment was conducted to evaluate early broiler performance, tibia mineralization, and mineral digestibility of broilers fed diets that differed in inorganic feed phosphates (IFP) but that were formulated to be either similar in dietary non-phytate phosphorus (nPP) and calcium to phosphorus ratio (Ca:P), total mineral content, or calculated prececal digestible phosphorus (CPDP). Dicalcium phosphate (DCP), monodicalcium phosphate (MDP), monocalcium phosphate (MCP), and defluorinated phosphate were used in formulations with …

Assessment Of Protein Quality, Lipid Metabolism, Hepatic Transcriptome And Safety Of A Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix) Derived Sarcoplasmic Protein Powder., Derek Cole Warren

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Fishery resources are currently operating either near optimal yield or at levels with elevated risk for fish stock depletion. A solution for overcoming limitations of natural fish resources is through utilization of less desirable fish species and fish processing by-products. Water-soluble sarcoplasm proteins consist of 25 – 30% of protein in carp, are lost in wash water during processing and can be recovered and freeze-dried to produce a protein-rich powder (CSP). The objective of this project was to evaluate the protein quality and safety of CSP, assess diets consisting of CSP or commercial milk proteins effects on lipid metabolism, and …

Therapeutic Approaches To Recovery In West Virginia, Rachel A. Wattick

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a prevalent problem in the United States, with 19.7 million Americans aged 12 and older battling an SUD in 2017. Multiple factors influence the risk that someone will develop an SUD, including family history, childhood trauma, community factors, and poverty. West Virginia has the highest rate of overdose deaths in the nation, and individuals in WV are at high risk of SUD due to the aforementioned risk factors. There are a variety of treatment options available to someone with an SUD. These include outpatient or inpatient treatment, detoxification, therapeutic communities, and collegiate recovery programs. Despite …

Associations Of Adiposity And Diet Quality With Serum Ceramides In Middle-Aged Adults With Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Margaret A. Drazba, Ida Holaskova, Nadine R. Sahyoun, Melissa Ventura Marra

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Rates of adverse cardiovascular events have increased among middle-aged adults. Elevated ceramides have been proposed as a risk factor for cardiovascular events. Diet quality and weight status are inversely associated with several traditional risk factors; however, the relationship to ceramides is less clear. This study aimed to determine associations of adiposity and diet quality with circulating ceramides in middle-aged adults (n = 96). Diet quality was estimated using the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015). Serum ceramide concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. A ceramide risk score was determined based on ceramides C16:0, C18:0, and C24:1 and their ratios to …

Cooking And Meal Planning As Predictors Of Fruit And Vegetable Intake And Bmi In First-Year College Students, Andrea J. Hanson, Kendra K. Kattleman, Lacey A. Mccormack, Wenjun Zhou, Onikia N. Brown, Tanya M. Horacek, Karla P. Shelnutt, Tandalayo Kidd, Audrey Opoku-Acheampong, Lisa D. Franzen-Castle, Melissa D. Olfert, Sarah E. Colby

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The objective was to determine if cooking skills and meal planning behaviors are associated with greater fruit and vegetable intake and lower body mass index (BMI) in first-year college students who are at risk for excessive weight gain. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using baseline data from a multi-state research project aimed at preventing weight gain in first-year college students. Cooking type, frequency and confidence, self-instruction for healthful mealtime behavior intention, self-regulation of healthful mealtime behavior, and cup equivalents of fruits and vegetables (FV) were measured using validated surveys. BMI was calculated from measured height and weight. First-year students (n …

Educational Intervention Improves Fruit And Vegetable Intake In Young Adults With Metabolic Syndrome Components, Rashel L. Clark, Oluremi A. Famodu, Ida Holásková, Aniello M. Infante, Pamela J. Murray, I. Mark Olfert, Joseeph W. Mcfadden, Marianne T. Downes, Paul D. Chantler, Matthew W. Duespohl, Christopher F. Cuff, Melissa D. Olfert

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The FRUVEDomics study investigates the effect of a diet intervention focused on increasing fruit and vegetable intake on the gut microbiome and cardiovascular health of young adults with/at risk for metabolic syndrome(MetS). It was hypothesized that the recommended diet would result in metabolic and gut microbiome changes. The 9-week dietary intervention adhered to the US Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americansand focused on increasing fruit and vegetable intake to equal half of the diet. Seventeen eligible young adults with/or at high risk of MetS consented and completed preintervention and postintervention measurements, including anthropometric, body composition, cardiovascular, …

Development Of The Icook 4-H Curriculum For Youth And Adults: Cooking, Eating, And Playing Together For Childhood Obesity Prevention, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Sarah E. Colby, Kendra K. Kattelmann, Melissa D. Olfert, Douglas R. Mathews, Kathryn Yerxa, Barbara Baker, Michelle Krehbiel, Tracey Lehrke, Kimberly Wilson, Sue M. Flanagan, Amber Ford, Trina Aguirre, Adrienne A. White

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The objective was to describe the development process of a curriculum (iCook 4-H) targeted to low-income, rural, and/or diverse youths and their adult primary meal preparer to promote cooking, eating, and playing together. Lessons learned highlighted the importance of grounding the curriculum in Social Cognitive Theory and applying the experiential 4-H learning model using a multiphased, community-based participatory approach with cyclical development and evaluation, and key modifications made for dissemination and distribution. Findings across 4 testing phases over 6 years and 5 states demonstrated the time-intensive, cyclical process that required flexibility with fidelity to form a hands-on, interactive …

The Icook 4-H Study: Report On Physical Activity And Sedentary Time In Youth Participating In A Multicomponent Program Promoting Family Cooking, Eating, And Playing Together, Kendra K. Kattelmann, Jessica R. Meendering, Emily J. Hofer, Chase M. Merfeld, Melissa D. Olfert, Rebeca L. Hagedorn, Sarah E. Colby, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Jonathan Moyer, Douglas R. Mathews, Adrienne A. White

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Objective

To report physical activity and sedentary time outcomes of youth in iCook 4-H.

Study Design and Setting

iCook 4-Hwas a 5-state, randomized, control–treatment, family-based childhood obesity prevention intervention promoting cooking, eating, and playing together.

Participants and Intervention

Youth aged 9–10 years and the main preparer of their meals participated in the 12-week program followed by monthly newsletters and biyearly booster sessions until 24 months.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

A total of 155 youth were fitted with an Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer, which they wore for 7 days at baseline and 4, 12, and 24 months to measure mean daily …

Dissemination Using Infographic Reports Depicting Program Impact Of A Community-Based Research Program: Eb4cast In Icook 4-H, Melissa D. Olfert, Rebecca L. Hagedorn, Makenzie L. Barr, Sarah E. Colby, Kendra K. Kattelmann, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Adrienne A. White

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Objective

To evaluate barriers to dissemination and implementation and perceptions of the Evidence-Based Forecast Capture, Assemble, Sustain, Timelessness (eB4CAST) dissemination infographic tool as part of iCook 4-Hdissemination.

Design

Online surveys and phone interviews.

Participants

Experts (n = 35) in community research completed the survey; 13 completed the interview.

Main Outcomes Measure

Experts’ perceptions of eB4CAST reports used for iCook 4-Hdissemination.

Analysis

Frequency and thematic analysis.

Results

Survey respondents agreed (85%) that the eB4CAST infographic provided a clear understanding of iCook 4-Hand relevant information (83%). Statistics included in the infographic were reported as easily understood (66%). Respondents (83%) …

The Icook 4-H Study: An Intervention And Dissemination Test Of A Youth/Adult Out-Of-School Program, Adrienne A. White, Sarah E. Colby, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Kendra K. Kattelmann, Melissa D. Olfert, Tara A. Gould, Rebecca L. Hagedorn, Douglas R. Mathews, Jonathan Moyer, Kimberly Wilson, Kathryn Yerxa

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Objective

To describe outcomes from intervention and dissemination of iCook 4-H.

Design

Five-state, community-based participatory research and a randomized, controlled trial followed by a 5-state, nonrandomized dissemination test of the iCook 4-H curriculum with control and treatment groups.

Setting

Community and university sites.

Participants

Youths aged 9–10 years and their adult food preparer; 228 dyads in the intervention and 74 dyads in dissemination.

Intervention(s)

Theoretical frameworks were Social Cognitive Theory and the experiential 4-H learning model. Six 2-hour, biweekly sessions on cooking, eating, and playing together followed by monthly newsletters and boosters until 24 months, expanded to 8 sessions …

Development And Testing Of Program Evaluation Instruments For The Icook 4-H Curriculum, Douglas R. Mathews, Zachary J. Kunicki, Sarah E. Colby, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Kendra K. Kattelmann, Melissa D. Olfert, Adrienne A. White

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Objective

To develop and test the validity of program outcome evaluation instruments for cooking, eating, and playing together for obesity prevention during iCook 4-H.

Design

Instrument development for both youth and adults through pre-post testing of items newly constructed and compiled to address key curriculum constructs. Testing occurred throughout program intervention and dissemination to determine dimensionality, internal consistency and test-retest reliability, and validity.

Setting

A 5-state out-of-school program in cooperative extension and other community sites.

Participants

Youths aged 9–10 years; adults were main food preparers; the first phase involved 214 dyads and the second phase, 74 dyads.

Main Outcome …

Ripple Effect Mapping Outcomes Of A Childhood Obesity Prevention Program From Youth And Adult Dyads Using A Qualitative Approach: Icook 4-H, Melissa D. Olfert, Sina J. King, Rebecca L. Hagedorn, Makenzie L. Barr, Barbara A. Baker, Sarah E. Colby, Kendra K. Kattelmann, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Adrienne A. White

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Objective

Design

Setting

Participants …

Feasibility Of A Mhealth Approach To Nutrition Counseling In An Appalachian State, Melissa D. Olfert, Makenzie L. Barr, Rebecca L. Hagedorn, Dustin M. Long, Treah S. Haggerty, Mathew Weimer, Joseph Golden, Mary Ann Maurer, Jill D. Cochran, Tracy Hendershot, Stacey L. Whanger, Jay D. Mason, Sally L. Hodder

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Abstract: West Virginia is a rural state with an aging population that may experience barriers to accessing nutritional and lifestyle counseling. This study examined feasibility of an online personalized nutrition tracking application, Good Measures (GM), with patients at seven health care clinics throughout the state. Fourteen healthcare providers and 64 patients 18 years or older with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 and access to the Internet were recruited for this 12-week feasibility study. Patient participants logged meals and exercise into the GM application via smart phone, tablet, or computer and virtually engaged with a …

Climatic Trends Of West Virginia: A Representative Appalachian Microcosm, Evan Kutta, Jason Hubbart

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

During the late 19th and very early 20th centuries widespread deforestation occurred across the Appalachian region, USA. However, since the early 20th century, land cover rapidly changed from predominantly agricultural land use (72%; 1909) to forest. West Virginia (WV) is now the USA’s third most forested state by area (79%; 1989–present). It is well understood that land cover alterations feedback on climate with important implications for ecology, water resources, and watershed management. However, the spatiotemporal distribution of climatic changes during reforestation in WV remains unclear. To fill this knowledge gap, daily maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and precipitation data were acquired …

Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Genomic Loci Affecting Filet Firmness And Protein Content In Rainbow Trout, Ali Ali, Rafet Al-Tobasei, Daniela Lourenco, Tim Leeds, Brett Kenney, Mohamed Saleem

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Filet quality traits determine consumer satisfaction and affect profitability of the aquaculture industry. Soft flesh is a criterion for fish filet downgrades, resulting in loss of value. Filet firmness is influenced by many factors, including rate of protein turnover. A 50K transcribed gene SNP chip was used to genotype 789 rainbow trout, from two consecutive generations, produced in the USDA/NCCCWA selective breeding program. Weighted single-step GBLUP (WssGBLUP) was used to perform genome-wide association (GWA) analyses to identify quantitative trait loci affecting filet firmness and protein content. Applying genomic sliding windows of 50 adjacent SNPs, 212 and 225 SNPs were associated …

Cooking Frequency Associated With Dietary Quality In Icook-4h Youth Participants At Baseline, Amber D. Ford, Sarah E. Colby, Marissa Mcelrone, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Melissa D. Olfert

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background: Increased intakes of ready-made and fast foods paralleled with decreased homemade food consumption have been associated with increased rates of obesity. Researchers have shown associations between cooking self-efficacy (SE) and cooking frequency (CF) with dietary quality and weight status. Some cooking interventions have shown positive associations with dietary outcomes, such as increased fruit and vegetable intake and decreased fast food consumption. There is still much unknown about SE and CF, especially among youth. Objective: Determine baseline SE and CF and the associations with dietary quality and body mass index (BMI) of youth enrolled in iCook 4H. Methods: Youth (n=228, …

The Identification Of Differentially Expressed Genes Between Extremes Of Placental Efficiency In Maternal Line Gilts On Day 95 Of Gestation, Shanice K. Krombeen, Vijay Shankar, Rooksana E. Noorai, Christopher A. Saski, Julia L. Sharp, Matthew E. Wilson, Tiffany A. Wilmoth

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background: Placental efficiency (PE) describes the relationship between placental and fetal weights (fetal wt/placental wt). Within litters, PE can vary drastically, resulting in similarly sized pigs associated with differently sized placentas, up to a 25% weight difference. However, the mechanisms enabling the smaller placenta to grow a comparable littermate are unknown. To elucidate potential mechanisms, morphological measurements and gene expression profiles in placental and associated endometrial tissues of high PE and low PE feto-placental units were compared. Tissue samples were obtained from eight maternal line gilts during gestational day 95 ovario-hysterectomies. RNA was extracted from tissues of feto-placental units with …