Effects of L-Glutamine Supplementation during the Gestation of Gilts and Sows on the Offspring Development in a Traditional Swine Breed.

The use of amino acids during pregnancy, such as glutamine (Gln), seems to be a promising strategy in selected swine breeds to improve the offspring prenatal development. The main goal of the current study was to assess the development of the offspring from parity 1-3 sows of a traditional breed, which were supplemented with 1% glutamine after Day 35 of gestation, under farm conditions. A total of 486 (288 treated) piglets from 78 (46 treated) Iberian sows were used. At birth and slaughterhouse, fatty acid composition, metabolism, and mTOR pathway gene expression were analyzed. At birth, treated newborns showed greater amounts of specific amino acids in plasma, such as glutamine, asparagine, or alanine, and Σn-3 fatty acids in cellular membranes than control newborns. The expression of genes belonging to mTOR Complex 1 was also higher in treated piglets with normal birth-weight. However, these findings did not improve productive traits at birth or following periods in litters from supplemented gilts (parity 1) or sows (parities 2-3). Thus, further research is needed to properly understand the effects of prenatal glutamine supplementation, particularly in traditional swine breeds.

Irritable bowel syndrome in celiac disease - relationships to celiac disease antibodies and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

BACKGROUND: Evidence indicates that low-grade inflammation can alter gastrointestinal motor and sensory function and might contribute to the genesis of symptoms in IBS. OBJECTIVE: To examine relationships between IBS, disease antibodies and cytokine titers in celiac patients and a control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IBS, CD activity and serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 and IL12/23p40 were determined in celiac patients and controls. RESULTS: 123 celiac patients were included, 89% were female. 59% demonstrated disease activity and 32% met IBS criteria. Prevalence of IBS was not different between patients who adhered or did not adhere to GFD as well as between patients with or without positive antibodies. Celiac patients had increased levels of IL-6, IL-8 and IL12/23p40 as compared to controls. Higher levels of cytokines were found in celiac patients with IBS than in those without IBS. No difference in levels of cytokines was found between patients with and without CD positive antibodies. A significant negative correlation between the mental component of QoL and IL-6 and IL12/23p40 levels was found, but not with IL-8. CONCLUSION: Higher levels of inflammatory cytokines were found in CD patients with IBS than in either those without IBS or controls, indicating that IBS symptoms are associated with an increase in the inflammatory response and a decrease in quality of life of CD patients. These differences in cytokine levels were not related to CD antibodies status suggesting that IBS, in CD, is related to a different inflammatory process than that which is relevant to CD.

Differential Effects of Litter Size and Within-Litter Birthweight on Postnatal Traits of Fatty Pigs.

Fatty pigs are characterized by a thrifty genotype, adapted to harsh environments based on changes in metabolism and energy saving. Thus, we hypothesized that feto-maternal energy partitioning in large litters might have postnatal effects that might be independent of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) processes. Hence, the current work reported the influence of two effects on postnatal performance and carcass and meat quality of purebred Iberian pigs: (a) the effects of the number of piglets in the litter (high vs. low litter size), and (b) the effects of birthweight (low (LBW) vs. normal (NBW)) in large litters. The results confirmed that NBW piglets born in large litters had differences in developmental patterns of weight, back-fat deposition, and fatty acid (FA) composition when compared to NBW piglets from small litters. These results were different from those found in LBW piglets when compared to their NBW counterparts, which showed an initial asymmetrical growth and altered muscle FA composition at slaughtering. The assessment of FA composition indicated better metabolic status in NBW piglets from large litters than in LBW piglets. These data support the concept that the prenatal environment, even when the individual may cope with it, inescapably affects postnatal life.

Irritable bowel syndrome in celiac disease - relationships to celiac disease antibodies and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines / Síndrome del intestino irritable en la enfermedad celíaca: relaciones con los anticuerpos contra la enfermedad celíaca y los niveles de citocinas proinflamatorias

ABSTRACT Background: Evidence indicates that low-grade inflammation can alter gastrointestinal motor and sensory function and might contribute to the genesis of symptoms in IBS. Objective: To examine relationships between IBS, disease antibodies and cytokine titers in celiac patients and a control group. Materials and methods: IBS, CD activity and serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 and IL12/23p40 were determined in celiac patients and controls. Results: 123 celiac patients were included, 89% were female. 59% demonstrated disease activity and 32% met IBS criteria. Prevalence of IBS was not different between patients who adhered or did not adhere to GFD as well as between patients with or without positive antibodies. Celiac patients had increased levels of IL-6, IL-8 and IL12/23p40 as compared to controls. Higher levels of cytokines were found in celiac patients with IBS than in those without IBS. No difference in levels of cytokines was found between patients with and without CD positive antibodies. A significant negative correlation between the mental component of QoL and IL-6 and IL12/23p40 levels was found, but not with IL-8. Conclusion: Higher levels of inflammatory cytokines were found in CD patients with IBS than in either those without IBS or controls, indicating that IBS symptoms are associated with an increase in the inflammatory response and a decrease in quality of life of CD patients. These differences in cytokine levels were not related to CD antibodies status suggesting that IBS, in CD, is related to a different inflammatory process than that which is relevant to CD.

RESUMEN Antecedentes: la evidencia indica que la inflamación de bajo grado puede alterar la función motora y sensorial gastrointestinal y puede contribuir a la aparición de síntomas en el SII. Objetivo: Examinar la relación entre SII, anticuerpos contra enfermedades y títulos de citocinas en pacientes celíacos y un grupo de control. Materiales y métodos: se determinaron los síntomas de SII, actividad de CD y niveles séricos de IL-6, IL-8 e IL12 / 23p40 en pacientes celíacos y controles. Resultados: se incluyeron 123 pacientes celíacos, el 89% eran mujeres. El 59% demostró actividad de la enfermedad y el 32% cumplió con los criterios del SII. La prevalencia del SII no fue diferente entre los pacientes que se adhirieron o no se adhirieron a GFD, así como entre los pacientes con o sin anticuerpos positivos. Los pacientes celíacos tenían niveles aumentados de IL-6, IL-8 e IL12 / 23p40 en comparación con los controles. Se encontraron niveles más altos de citocinas en pacientes celíacos con SII que en aquellos sin SII. No se encontraron diferencias en los niveles de citocinas entre pacientes con y sin anticuerpos CD positivos. Se encontró una correlación negativa significativa entre el componente mental de la calidad de vida y los niveles de IL-6 e IL12 / 23p40, pero no con IL-8. Conclusión: Se encontraron niveles más altos de citocinas inflamatorias en pacientes con EC con SII que en aquellos sin SII o controles, lo que indica que los síntomas del SII están asociados con un aumento en la respuesta inflamatoria y una disminución en la calidad de vida de los pacientes con CD. Estas diferencias en los niveles de citocinas no estaban relacionadas con el estado de los anticuerpos contra la CD, lo que sugiere que el SII, en la CD, está relacionado con un proceso inflamatorio diferente al que es relevante para la CD.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Obesity Effects on the Metabolomic Profile of a Leptin-Resistant Swine Model.

Identifying metabolite signatures associated with obesity and related diseases might represent a valuable preventive and therapeutic tool to predict subjects at risk, establish an accurate prognosis, and monitor treatment success. The current cross-sectional study is aimed to evaluate the metabolite profile of diet-induced obesity in a porcine model of leptin resistance. Six Iberian female pigs prone to develop obesity (OB) were ad libitum fed a fat-enriched diet (HFD) for 82 days. Five lean Iberian sows (CON) in a maintenance diet served as controls. At the end of the dietary treatments, all animals were sacrificed, and plasma, liver, and muscle samples were immediately collected for nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. In plasma, signals corresponding to betaine, glycerophosphocholine/phosphocholine, glycine, and glutamate were decreased; and the valine signal was increased in OB sows compared to controls. Similarly, the betaine signal was decreased in the liver. No differences were detected in muscle. The observed metabolite changes suggest alterations in branched chain amino-acid metabolism and the methionine-homocysteine cycle, which have been previously associated with obesity-related diseases and type 2 diabetes in human observational studies. The current study supports the utilization of the leptin resistant Iberian pig for further interventional research in the field.

Polyphenols and IUGR Pregnancies: Effects of Maternal Hydroxytyrosol Supplementation on Postnatal Growth, Metabolism and Body Composition of the Offspring.

Maternal supplementation with the polyphenol hydroxytyrosol in a swine model of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) improves the fetal oxidative status, decreases the appearance of low birth-weight neonates and favors growth during early postnatal stages (lactation). The current study aimed to determine whether hydroxytyrosol supplementation can also improve developmental patterns, metabolic traits, and body composition of the offspring during later postnatal stages (from weaning to adulthood). A total of 21 piglets born from control untreated sows and 20 piglets born from sows treated with hydroxytyrosol during the last two-thirds of pregnancy were selected on the basis of similar body weights at weaning, for avoiding any interfering effects occurred during lactation. The pigs in the treated group had higher average daily weight gain (ADWG) and, therefore, reached higher body weight and corpulence, greater muscle development and higher adiposity than their control counterparts. The following were not found: significant effects on metabolism and body composition except changes in the muscular fatty acid composition of the treated pigs coming from the largest litters; those more affected by IUGR processes. These findings suggest that maternal supplementation with hydroxytyrosol may improve juvenile development of offspring in at-risk pregnancies and pave the way for more specific studies aiming to elucidate effects on adiposity, metabolism, and meat organoleptic characteristics.

Polyphenols and IUGR Pregnancies: Effects of Maternal Hydroxytyrosol Supplementation on Hepatic Fat Accretion and Energy and Fatty Acids Profile of Fetal Tissues.

Maternal supplementation with hydroxytyrosol, a polyphenol present in olive leaves and fruits, is a highly promising strategy to improve the oxidative and metabolic status of fetuses at risk of intrauterine growth restriction, which may diminish the appearance of low-birth-weight neonates. The present study aimed to determine whether hydroxytyrosol, by preventing lipid peroxidation, may influence the fat accretion and energy homeostasis in the liver, as well as the fatty acid composition in the liver and muscle. The results indicate that hydroxytyrosol treatment significantly decreased the energy content of the fetal liver, without affecting fat accretion, and caused significant changes in the availability of fatty acids. There were significant increases in the amount of total polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, which are highly important for adequate fetal tissue development. However, there were increases in the omega-6/omega-3 ratio and the desaturation index, which make further studies necessary to determine possible effects on the pro/anti-inflammatory status of the fetuses.

Maternal Metabolic Demands Caused by Pregnancy and Lactation: Association with Productivity and Offspring Phenotype in High-Yielding Dairy Ewes.

Pregnancy and lactation, especially when concurrent, create a rather metabolically demanding situation in dairy ruminants, but little is known about their effects on offspring phenotype and milk yield. Here, we evaluated the impact of pregnancy and lactation on the metabolic traits and productive performance of Lacaune dairy sheep and their offspring. Productive performance was measured in terms of milk yield, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and size. Productivity was assessed during mid-pregnancy (75 ± 5 d) and late pregnancy (142 ± 4 d) and at 52 ± 5 d in the postpartum period. During pregnancy, high-yielding ewes had higher BW, BCS, plasma glucose, cholesterol, ß-OHB, and NEFA than low-yielding ewes, but lower levels of lactate and urea. High-yielding animals had lower BCS after lambing, but their lambs showed greater growth. Productivity during lactation was affected by ewe age and parity: Mature ewes (but not maiden sheep) whose BCS increased steeply during pregnancy yielded more milk in the subsequent lactation than those whose BCS did not increase. Lamb BW and size were positively associated with milk yield in the subsequent lactation. Mature ewes had higher yields than maiden sheep, and mature ewes with multiple pregnancies produced more milk than those with singleton pregnancies. Ewes with male singleton pregnancies also showed higher yield than those with female singletons. These results demonstrate that high-yielding dairy sheep, when appropriately fed and managed, can adequately cover the metabolic demands of pregnancy and high milk production (even when concurrent) without losing productivity.

Maternal Metformin Treatment Improves Developmental and Metabolic Traits of IUGR Fetuses.

Metformin is an anti-hyperglycemic drug widely used for the treatment of insulin resistance and glucose intolerance and is currently considered for preventing large-for-gestational-age (LGA) offspring in pregnant women affected by obesity or diabetes. Our hypothesis was the opposite-metformin may be used for improving the development of offspring affected by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preventing the appearance of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates in non-obese and non-diabetic but malnourished pregnancies. The current study, performed in a swine preclinical model of IUGR by undernutrition, showed that fetuses in the treated group showed no significant increases in body-weight, but showed a significantly higher weight of the brain, the total thoracic and abdominal viscera, the liver, the kidneys, the spleen, and the adrenal glands. Maternal metformin treatment was also related to significant increases in the fetal plasma concentration of parameters indicative of glycemic (glucose and fructosamine) and lipid profiles (triglycerides). Overall, these results suggest a protective effect of the treatment on the developmental competence of the fetuses. These findings may be of high value for human medicine in case of maternal malnutrition, since metformin is a cheap drug easily available, but also in case of placental deficiency, since metformin seems to improve placental development and function.

Polyphenols and IUGR Pregnancies: Effects of Maternal Hydroxytyrosol Supplementation on Placental Gene Expression and Fetal Antioxidant Status, DNA-Methylation and Phenotype.

The use of polyphenols is a promising strategy for preventing or alleviating intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) because polyphenol supplementation increases plasma antioxidant capacity and improves oxidative stress at the feto-placental unit; which are recognized as main issues in IUGR. However, there is a scarcity of experimental data on both realistic benefits and potential hazards of polyphenol supplementation during gestation. Hence, we aimed to use a swine model of IUGR pregnancy to determine possible effects of maternal supplementation with polyphenols (hydroxytyrosol) on placental expression of genes involved in antioxidant homeostasis, vascularization and fetal growth and thus on antioxidant status, DNA-methylation and phenotypic traits (morphology and homeostasis) of the fetus. Hydroxytyrosol improves placental gene expression and fetal antioxidant status and glucose metabolism in a sex-dependent manner, in which males were favored in spite of developmental failures. Concomitantly, hydroxytyrosol prevented hypomethylation of DNA associated with oxidative stress. Finally, no major deleterious effects of hydroxytyrosol supplementation on constriction of the ductus arteriosus, a possible secondary effect of polyphenols during pregnancy, were found.

Influence of Maternal Factors (Weight, Body Condition, Parity, and Pregnancy Rank) on Plasma Metabolites of Dairy Ewes and Their Lambs.

Pregnancy and lactation are challenging states that affect maternal and lamb health. In Lacaune dairy sheep, we evaluated the impact of parity, pregnancy rank, and body condition on body weight and the condition of ewes and lambs in mid-pregnancy (75 ± 5 d), in late pregnancy (142 ± 4d), and postpartum (52 ± 5d pp). Maternal age was associated with initial decreases, followed by increases, in body weight and condition. After lambing, both mature and maiden ewes lost weight and body condition. Maternal indices of glucose, protein, and lipid metabolism were within physiological values during pregnancy, but postpartum values depended on maternal parity and pregnancy rank, with multiple-pregnant ewes showing a postpartum increase in glucose and maiden sheep a postpartum increase in plasma cholesterol concentration. Male lambs were heavier than female lambs at birth, and lambs born to mothers with higher body condition scores were heavier. Lambs born as singletons were heavier than those born in litters. Maternal age and pregnancy rank did not influence lamb metabolic indicators. Sex affected plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Maternal metabolic indicators showed minimal effects on lamb phenotype. These results suggest that, when appropriately fed, dairy sheep can cover the metabolic demands of pregnancy and milk production, regardless of age and pregnancy rank.

Antioxidant homeostasis is disturbed in fetuses with leptin-resistant genotypes: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Leptin resistance is associated with lower reproductive efficiency, with deficiencies in embryo viability and growth leading to low prolificacy and high incidence of intrauterine growth restriction. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the leptin-resistance, evaluating the antioxidant homeostasis of leptin-resistant and lean swine fetuses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 70 plasma samples from fetuses at day 62 of gestation (mid-pregnancy), from breeds with (Iberian breed; n=35) and without leptin resistance (25% Large White x 25% Landrace x 50% Pietrain; n=35). The antioxidant status of the plasma samples was determined by photoinduced chemiluminescence whilst systemic oxidative stress was assessed determining plasma hydrogen peroxide concentration by enzimoimmunoassay. RESULTS: Plasma total antioxidant capacity was significantly lower in leptin-resistant fetuses (p=0.003), whilst systemic oxidative stress was increased (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate key differences in the antioxidant status in pregnancies affected by leptin resistance.

Effects of melatonin administration on seminal plasma metabolites and sperm fertilization competence during the non-reproductive season in ram.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ram melatonin treatment on the sperm quality and metabolite composition of the seminal plasma in the non-breeding season. Four mature rams were treated with 54 mg melatonin in March subcutaneous implants and four untreated rams served as control. At 0, 30, 90 and 120 days semen samples were collected and sperm, separated from seminal plasma, was evaluated for its capacity to fertilize and produce embryos in vitro. Seminal plasma metabolites were extracted and analyzed by capillary electrophoresis/mass spectroscopy. In the resulting electropherograms, the area corresponding to selected metabolites was extracted and quantified. Ram melatonin treatment affected the in vitro fertilization competence of sperm. Blastocyst output increased until 90 days after treatment (27.20 ±â€¯7.35 vs 54.7 ±â€¯4.4% at 0 and 90 days respectively; p < 0.05) while the untreated group did not show statistical differences. In treated rams, the concentration of melatonin in seminal plasma increased from 3.34 ±â€¯1.70 at day 0-9.65 ±â€¯2.89 AU (Arbitrary Units) after 90 days, then decreased to reach the level of the untreated ram after 120 days (p < 0.05). During 90 days after melatonin treatment, an increase (p < 0.05) in seminal plasma concentrations of glutamic acid (6.28 ±â€¯1.53 vs 14.93 ±â€¯1.53 AU at 0 and 90 days respectively), glutamine (16.89 ±â€¯4.65 vs 54.51 ±â€¯4.65 AU), carnitine (22.97 ±â€¯9.81 vs 104.30 ±â€¯9.81 AU), acetyl-carnitine (48.15 ±â€¯17.32 vs 217.69 ±â€¯17.32 AU), choline (1.82 ±â€¯1.55 vs 14.16 ±â€¯1.55 AU) and arginine (1.31 ±â€¯1.08 vs 14.25 ±â€¯1.08 AU) was detected. Tyrosine concentration increased during 30 days from melatonin treatment (12.79 ±â€¯3.93 vs 27.08 ±â€¯3.04 AU) but at 90 days its levels were similar to the untreated group. In conclusion, melatonin treatment during the non-breeding season improves the concentration of several metabolites in seminal plasma and sperm fertilization competence in Sarda breed ram.

Characterization of Ageing- and Diet-Related Swine Models of Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity.

Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity are currently considered major global threats for health and well-being. However, there is a lack of adequate preclinical models for their study. The present trial evaluated the suitability of aged swine by determining changes in adiposity, fatty acids composition, antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation, development of metabolic disturbances and structural changes in tissues and organs. Iberian sows with clinical evidence of aging-related sarcopenia were fed a standard diet fulfilling their maintenance requirements or an obesogenic diet for 100 days. Aging and sarcopenia were related to increased lipid accumulation and cellular dysfunction at both adipose tissue and non-adipose ectopic tissues (liver and pancreas). Obesity concomitant to sarcopenia aggravates the condition by increasing visceral adiposity and causing dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and lipotoxicity in non-adipose tissues. These results support that the Iberian swine model represents certain features of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in humans, paving the way for future research on physiopathology of these conditions and possible therapeutic targets.

Identification of factors affecting colostrum quality of dairy Lacaune ewes assessed with the Brix refractometer.

In this Research Communication we assessed factors affecting colostrum quality of dairy Lacaune ewes using the Brix-refractometer. Colostrum from 536 lambings from one commercial intensive dairy Lacaune farm were analysed for the following factors with potential influence in colostrum quality: (1) ewe parity (n = 84-132), (2) length of previous dry period (PDP) (n = 23-214), (3) age at first lambing (AFL) of primiparous ewes (n = 9-88), (4) lambing season (n = 192 or 344), and (5) year (2011-2013, n = 142-203). Parity significantly affected colostrum quality, with primiparous ewes showing the highest Brix refractometer values (22·6 ± 5·6%, P < 0·0001), though values were similar among multiparous ewes. PDP length also significantly affected colostrum quality: ewes with the shortest PDP showed the worst quality (16·8 ± 4·2%, P < 0·0001), with quality gradually rising with PDP length. Colostrum quality was significantly higher in 2011 (21·0 ± 5·2%) than in 2012 or 2013 (P < 0·0001); this likely reflects the several-fold greater proportion of animals with long PDP in 2011. In contrast, neither AFL nor lambing season significantly affected colostrum quality. These results suggest that parity and PDP length can substantially affect ovine colostrum quality of dairy ewes under intensive management conditions and they further show the usefulness of the Brix refractometer for providing a rough estimation of colostrum quality on-farm. However, further studies are needed to determine a validated cut-off Brix value for identifying good-quality colostra in ovine species.

Ontogeny of Sex-Related Differences in Foetal Developmental Features, Lipid Availability and Fatty Acid Composition.

Sex-related differences in lipid availability and fatty acid composition during swine foetal development were investigated. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the mother were strongly related to the adequacy or inadequacy of foetal development and concomitant activation of protective growth in some organs (brain, heart, liver and spleen). Cholesterol and triglyceride availability was similar in male and female offspring, but female foetuses showed evidence of higher placental transfer of essential fatty acids and synthesis of non-essential fatty acids in muscle and liver. These sex-related differences affected primarily the neutral lipid fraction (triglycerides), which may lead to sex-related postnatal differences in energy partitioning. These results illustrate the strong influence of the maternal lipid profile on foetal development and homeorhesis, and they confirm and extend previous reports that female offspring show better adaptive responses to maternal malnutrition than male offspring. These findings may help guide dietary interventions to ensure adequate fatty acid availability for postnatal development.

Polyphenols and IUGR pregnancies: Maternal hydroxytyrosol supplementation improves prenatal and early-postnatal growth and metabolism of the offspring.

Hydroxytyrosol is a polyphenol with antioxidant, metabolism-regulatory, anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory properties. The present study aimed to determine whether supplementing the maternal diet with hydroxytyrosol during pregnancy can improve pre- and early post-natal developmental patterns and metabolic traits of the offspring. Experiment was performed in Iberian sows fed a restricted diet in order to increase the risk of IUGR. Ten sows were treated daily with 1.5 mg of hydroxytyrosol per kg of feed between Day 35 of pregnancy (30% of total gestational period) until delivery whilst 10 animals were left untreated as controls. Number and weight of offspring were assessed at birth, on post-natal Day 15 and at weaning (25 days-old). At weaning, body composition and plasma indexes of glucose and lipids were measured. Treatment with hydroxytyrosol was associated with higher mean birth weight, lower incidence of piglets with low birth weight. Afterwards, during the lactation period, piglets in the treated group showed a higher body-weight than control piglets; such effects were even stronger in the most prolific litters. These results suggest that maternal supplementation with hydroxytyrosol may improve pre- and early post-natal development of offspring in pregnancies at risk of IUGR.

The effects of sildenafil citrate on feto-placental development and haemodynamics in a rabbit model of intrauterine growth restriction.

The present study evaluated the effectiveness of sildenafil citrate (SC) to improve placental and fetal growth in a diet-induced rabbit model of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Pregnant rabbits were fed either ad libitum (Group C) or restricted to 50% of dietary requirements (Group R) or restricted and treated with SC (Group SC). The treatment with SC improved placental development by increasing vascularity and vessel hypertrophy in the decidua. The assessment of feto-placental haemodynamics showed higher resistance and pulsatility indices at the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in fetuses treated with SC when compared with Group R, which had increased systolic peak and time-averaged mean velocities at the MCA. Furthermore, fetuses in the SC group had significantly higher biparietal and thoracic diameters and longer crown-rump lengths than fetuses in Group R. Hence, the SC group had a reduced IUGR rate and a higher kit size at birth compared with Group R. In conclusion, SC may provide potential benefits in pregnancies with placental insufficiency and IUGR, partially counteracting the negative effects of food restriction on placental development and fetal growth. However, the present study also found evidence of a possible blood overflow in the brain that warrants further investigation.

Supramolecularly fine-regulated enantioselective catalysts.

The use of supramolecular interactions in catalysis has undergone major growth in the last decade and has contributed to the major advances achieved in the field of enantioselective catalysis. Of the various approaches that use supramolecular interactions in enantioselective catalysis, this article highlights different supramolecular strategies to generate a set of enantiopure ligands (or enantioselective catalysts) that retain the majority of the backbone's structural features, yet at the same time incorporate subtle changes at its active site that depend on the structural characteristics of the regulation agent (RA) employed.

Postnatal pituitary and follicular activation: a revisited hypothesis in a sheep model.

The importance of postnatal pituitary activation as regards female reproductive development is not yet understood. By taking advantage of the experimental model developed in a previous study, i.e. ewe lambs expressing markedly different ovarian phenotypes at 50 days of age, we designed this study to determine whether differences found in ovarian status during the early prepubertal period are due to different patterns of postnatal pituitary activation, and to assess whether these differences have long lasting effects on subsequent reproductive performance. Results showed that ewe lambs with high antral follicle count (AFC) at 50 days of age had significantly lower plasma FSH concentrations and higher anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentrations during the first 9 weeks of age compared with low AFC ewe lambs (P<0.0001). With a longitudinal experiment we showed that a high AFC in the early prepubertal period is associated with consistently higher AMH concentrations and numbers of antral follicles up to the postpubertal period, and with higher pregnancy rates in the first breeding season. In addition, the effect of age in decreasing AMH concentrations was more marked in the low AFC group. Results of the present study demonstrate that ewe lambs undergo different patterns of postnatal pituitary activation. A high AFC at 50 days of age indicates an advanced phase of ovarian maturation, which was accompanied by constantly higher AMH concentrations up to the postpubertal period, a greater ovarian response to FSH stimulation and by higher pregnancy rates at first mating, as compared with the low AFC group.