Ewe nutrition in early and mid- to late pregnancy has few effects on fetal development

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Contents Vol 52(7)

doi:10.1071/AN11246

Food, Fibre and Pharmaceuticals from Animals

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Ewe nutrition in early and mid- to late pregnancy has few effects on fetal development

N. P. Martín ^A ^B ^C, P. R. Kenyon ^A ^B, P. C. H. Morel ^A ^B, S. J. Pain ^A ^B, C. M. C. Jenkinson ^A ^B, P. G. Hutton ^A, S. T. Morris ^A ^B, S. W. Peterson ^A ^B, E. C. Firth ^A ^B and H. T. Blair ^A ^B

^A Sheep Research Centre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, PB 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
^B National Research Centre for Growth and Development, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
^C Corresponding author. Email: n.p.martin@massey.ac.nz

Animal Production Science 52(7) 533-539 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/AN11246
Submitted: 20 October 2011 Accepted: 7 March 2012 Published: 24 April 2012





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Abstract

Maternal nutrition affects fetal development, with potential lifelong consequences. The study reported here compared the anatomical development (dimensions and organs) of twin fetuses at Day 140 of gestation, from 58 twin-bearing ewes fed at one of three different nutritional treatments in early pregnancy [Day 21–50, Low (L_D21–50) versus Medium (M_D21–50) versus High (H_D21–50)] and one of two different nutritional treatments in mid- to late pregnancy (Day 50–140, Medium (M_D50–140) versus High (H_D50–140)]. There were no effects (P > 0.05) of either early or mid- to late pregnancy nutrition on placental weight and fetal bodyweight or size measurements at Day 140. Semitendinosus muscles from L_D21–50-H_D50–140 fetuses were heavier (P < 0.05) than those from L_D21–50-M_D50–140 and H_D21–50-H_D50–140 fetuses, and fetuses from L_D21–50 dams had lighter (P < 0.05) mammary glands compared with those from M_D21–50 and H_D21–50 dams, even after adjustment for fetal weight. Maternal nutrition also affected (P < 0.05) the weights of the fetal thyroid and brain. These results suggest that farmers can limit ewe nutrition in early pregnancy with only minor effects on the fetus. To investigate potential lifetime effects, a larger cohort of these animals is currently being monitored.

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