Effect of number of conceptuses on maternal hormone concentrations in the pig.

R. S. Kensinger, R. J. Collier, F. W. Bazer, R. R. Kraeling

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    35 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    This study examined the effect of number of conceptuses on maternal concentrations and profiles of estrogen sulfate, estrone, estradiol-17 beta, progesterone and prolactin in gilts. Estradiol-valerate injections were used to induce pseudopregnancy (O conceptuses; n = 5) and oviduct ligation or no treatment were utilized to obtain pregnant gilts with 4 to 7 (n = 4), or 8 to 11 (n = 4) conceptuses, respectively. Blood samples were collected every 10 d from d 10 through 110 of pregnancy or pseudopregnancy. At 110 d after onset of estrus, all gilts were slaughtered and numbers and(or) weights of fetuses, corpora lutea, placentae and the empty uterus were determined. Concentrations of estrogen sulfate and estrone, but not progesterone or prolactin, were associated with fetal number, total fetal weight, total placental weight or empty uterine weight. In contrast, only progesterone was highly correlated with number of corpora lutea. Results suggest that most conjugated estrogen, estrone and estradiol were of fetal-placental origin, whereas little, if any, placental production of progesterone or prolactin occurred. Increases in estrogen sulfate and estrone concentrations were observed at gestation d 30 and from d 70 to 100. The latter increase coincides with previously established increases in the rate of maternal mammary development and fetal growth.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)1666-1674
    Number of pages9
    JournalJournal of animal science
    Volume62
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jun 1986

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Food Science
    • Animal Science and Zoology
    • Genetics

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