Enhanced fetal growth in sheep administered progesterone during the first three days of pregnancy

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorKleeman, D.
dc.contributor.authorWalker, S.
dc.contributor.authorSeamark, R.
dc.date.issued1994
dc.description.abstractTwo experiments were conducted to determine whether administration of progesterone during early pregnancy affects fetal growth in sheep and if any effect is specific to the days of treatment. In the first experiment, Merino ewes were randomly allocated to four treatment groups and inseminated at a synchronized oestrus. Three groups received progesterone on days 1-3, 3-6 or 1-6 of pregnancy while the fourth group was untreated. Concentrations of progesterone in peripheral plasma increased (P < 0.05) in all treatment groups. Fetal growth (to day 74) was greater in all treatment groups than in the control group (P < 0.001) and was greatest when treatments started on day 1. Pregnancy rate was not affected by progesterone treatment on days 3-6, but was reduced (P < 0.05) when treatment began on day 1. In the second experiment, embryos that had been exposed to either a normal (control) or a high concentration of progesterone on days 1-3 were randomly transferred, within groups, to recipient ewes that had or had not been treated with progesterone on days 1-3. In another group, embryos were exposed to a high concentration of progesterone on days 1-3 and the oviducts of the ewe were ligated. An increase in fetal mass was observed in the recipient group that had been treated with progesterone (P < 0.01) but was not observed in the initial group treated with progesterone. A greater fetal mass was also obtained when embryos that had been ligated in the oviducts of ewes treated with progesterone (P < 0.05) were transferred.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
dc.identifier.citationReproduction, 1994; 102(2):411-417
dc.identifier.doi10.1530/jrf.0.1020411
dc.identifier.issn0022-4251
dc.identifier.issn1741-7899
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/13267
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherBlackwell Scientific Publications
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.1020411
dc.subjectFallopian Tubes
dc.subjectFetus
dc.subjectAnimals
dc.subjectSheep
dc.subjectProgesterone
dc.subjectCrown-Rump Length
dc.subjectEmbryo Transfer
dc.subjectLigation
dc.subjectEmbryonic and Fetal Development
dc.subjectGestational Age
dc.subjectPregnancy
dc.subjectLitter Size
dc.subjectFemale
dc.titleEnhanced fetal growth in sheep administered progesterone during the first three days of pregnancy
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

Files

Collections

Agriculture, Food and Wine publications