Impacts of maternal nutritional plane on umbilical artery hemodynamics, fetal and placentome growth in sheep

The present study aimed to examine the impact of maternal nutritional plane on umbilical hemodynamics. E wes (n = 15) were ass igned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments [ control (CON; 100% of N RC requirements), restricted (RES; 60% of CON) or overfed ( OVR ; 140% of CON) ] beginning on day 40 of gestation . Umbilical artery hemodynamics, fetal growth and placentome growth were measured on da y s 40, 45, 52, 80, 94 and 108 of gestation by Doppler ultrasonography . The percentage change in umbilical artery pulsatility and resistance ind ices remained steady through day 80 of gestation, and then decreased (P 0. 05 ) on day s 80 and 94 of gestation, and then decreased (P < 0.01) by day 108 of gestation. Maternal p lane of nutrition can impact umbilical resistance indices, and ultimately may impact blood flow to the fetus.

Lipoic acid decreases progesterone clearance in ovariectomized ewes

Lipoic acid is a naturally occurring compound that has been shown to modulate insulin sensitivity when supplemented to the diet. Elevated blood insulin concentrations have been shown to decrease progesterone catabolism in several species by modulating hepatic ste roid metabolic enzyme activity and expression. We hypothesized that lipoic acid supplementation would decrease progesterone (P4) catabolism by the liver. Eight ovariectomized ewes were fed an alfalfa - grass ration at 95% of ad libitum for the duration of th e experiment. Ewes were randomly assigned to the control group [an empty bolus administered by gavage (n = 4; CON )] or lipoic acid group [supplemented at 32 mg/kg BW administered by gavage (n = 4; LA)]. Progesterone was administered via CIDR devices on d ay 5 to all ewes. Blood samples were collected daily from d ay 6 to 9. On d ay 10, liver biopsies were obtained from each ewe to determine cytochrome P450 2C ( CYP2C ) , cytochrome P450 3A ( CYP3A ) and aldo - keto reductase 1C ( AKR1C ) activity. On d ay 11, serial blo od samples were collected after CIDR removal to determine P4 clearance. Ewes treated with LA had a lower rate constant ( P 0. 05 ) in hepatic enzyme activity was observed . Th ere was al so no difference ( P > 0. 05 ) i n circulating concentrations of P4 in CON ewes compared to LA ewes on d ay 6 to 11 . We conclude that while lipoic acid decreased P4 clearance from the blood, it did so without affecting hepatic enzyme activity; therefore the mechanism of action is yet to be elucidated.

Lipoic acid decreases progesterone clearance in ovariectomized ewes

Lipoic acid is a naturally occurring compound that has been shown to modulate insulin sensitivity when supplemented to the diet. Elevated blood insulin concentrations have been shown to decrease progesterone catabolism in several species by modulating hepatic ste roid metabolic enzyme activity and expression. We hypothesized that lipoic acid supplementation would decrease progesterone (P4) catabolism by the liver. Eight ovariectomized ewes were fed an alfalfa - grass ration at 95% of ad libitum for the duration of th e experiment. Ewes were randomly assigned to the control group [an empty bolus administered by gavage (n = 4; CON )] or lipoic acid group [supplemented at 32 mg/kg BW administered by gavage (n = 4; LA)]. Progesterone was administered via CIDR devices on d ay 5 to all ewes. Blood samples were collected daily from d ay 6 to 9. On d ay 10, liver biopsies were obtained from each ewe to determine cytochrome P450 2C ( CYP2C ) , cytochrome P450 3A ( CYP3A ) and aldo - keto reductase 1C ( AKR1C ) activity. On d ay 11, serial blo od samples were collected after CIDR removal to determine P4 clearance. Ewes treated with LA had a lower rate constant ( P < 0.03) for P4 clearance compared to CON ewes; however , no difference ( P > 0. 05 ) in hepatic enzyme activity was observed . Th ere was al so no difference ( P > 0. 05 ) i n circulating concentrations of P4 in CON ewes compared to LA ewes on d ay 6 to 11 . We conclude that while lipoic acid decreased P4 clearance from the blood, it did so without affecting hepatic enzyme activity; therefore the mechanism of action is yet to be elucidated.(AU)

Impacts of maternal nutritional plane on umbilical artery hemodynamics, fetal and placentome growth in sheep

The present study aimed to examine the impact of maternal nutritional plane on umbilical hemodynamics. E wes (n = 15) were ass igned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments [ control (CON; 100% of N RC requirements), restricted (RES; 60% of CON) or overfed ( OVR ; 140% of CON) ] beginning on day 40 of gestation . Umbilical artery hemodynamics, fetal growth and placentome growth were measured on da y s 40, 45, 52, 80, 94 and 108 of gestation by Doppler ultrasonography . The percentage change in umbilical artery pulsatility and resistance ind ices remained steady through day 80 of gestation, and then decreased (P < 0. 03 ) by day 108 of gestation . Moreover , p lane of nutrition affected (P < 0. 03 ) the percentage change in pulsatility index from day 40 , with RES ewes having a greater (P < 0.03 ) change compared to CON ( 16. 7 ± 7.5 vs . - 15.6 ± 7.5 %) , with OVR being intermediate ( 3.2 ± 7.5 %). Fetal biparietal and abdominal diameter s increased (P < 0.01) throughout gestation, and f etal heart rate decreased (P < 0.01) from day 52 to 108 of gestation. Placentome diameter increased (P < 0.01) through day 80 of gestation, was similar (P > 0. 05 ) on day s 80 and 94 of gestation, and then decreased (P < 0.01) by day 108 of gestation. Maternal p lane of nutrition can impact umbilical resistance indices, and ultimately may impact blood flow to the fetus.(AU)