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Growth of foetal bones and metabolic profile during gestation in primiparous ewes and multiparous ewes
Author(s) -
Damián Juan Pablo,
Terrazas Angélica,
Cabrera Elisa,
Simonetti Sofía,
Aragunde Rafael,
Fila Danilo
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
reproduction in domestic animals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.546
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1439-0531
pISSN - 0936-6768
DOI - 10.1111/rda.13760
Subject(s) - domestic sheep reproduction , gestation , biology , offspring , pregnancy , zoology , fetus , birth weight , medicine , endocrinology , genetics
Primiparous ewes and multiparous ewes show physiological differences during pregnancy, which can have an impact on the development of their offspring. The objective of this study was to compare the changes in the metabolic profile and in the size of some foetal bones throughout gestation between primiparous and multiparous ewes. Twelve primiparous (PM) ewes and 14 multiparous (MT) ewes were used. According to the dates of lambing, two groups of ewes were formed: Group 1 (G1, n = 6 PM and n = 7 MT) and Group 2 (G2, n = 6 PM and n = 7 MT). The body weight, body condition score, metabolic and foetal morphometric parameters were determined from before conception until the end of gestation. After lambing, the body weight and survival rate during the first 72 hr of life of lambs, as well as the maternal behaviour score were recorded. The PM ewes were lighter ( p < .01) and had a greater mobilization of body reserves during gestation, mainly evidenced by a greater serum concentration of NEFAs and lower serum concentration of total proteins ( p < .05) compared with the MT ewes. The parity did not affect the foetal morphometric variables. The lambs of MT ewes were heavier at parturition ( p = .002) and tended to have a greater survival rate than those lambs of PM ewes ( p = .09). In conclusion, PM ewes and MT ewes differ in their metabolic profile throughout the gestation. However, in the present study, we did not find parity differences in the dimensions of foetal bones during growth in gestation.