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Functional amino acids in the development of the pig placenta
Author(s) -
Wu Guoyao,
Bazer Fuller W.,
Johnson Gregory A.,
Herring Cassandra,
Seo Heewon,
Dai Zhaolai,
Wang Junjun,
Wu Zhenlong,
Wang Xiaolong
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/mrd.22809
Subject(s) - biology , placenta , fetus , amino acid , glutamine , fetal growth , metabolism , arginine , angiogenesis , embryogenesis , medicine , endocrinology , biochemistry , andrology , pregnancy , embryo , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
The mammalian placenta is essential for supplying nutrients (e.g., amino acids and water) and oxygen from the mother to fetus and for removing fetal metabolites (e.g., ammonia and CO 2 ) from fetus to mother. Thus, placental growth and development are determinants of fetal survival, growth, and development. Indeed, low birth weight is closely associated with reduced placental growth. Providing gestating gilts or sows with dietary supplementation of arginine and glutamine, increases placental growth (including vascular growth), improves embryonic/fetal growth and survival, and reduces the large variation in birth weight among litters. These two amino acids serve as building blocks for tissue protein as well as substrates for the production of polyamines and nitric oxide, which stimulate DNA and protein synthesis and angiogenesis and vascular growth in the placenta. These recent findings not only greatly advance the field of mammalian amino acid metabolism and nutrition, but also provide practical, mechanism‐based methods to enhance reproductive efficiency in swine. These results may also help improve embryonic/fetal survival and growth in other livestock species (e.g., sheep and cattle) and in humans.