Expression of VEGF-receptor system in conceptus during peri-implantation period and endometrial and luteal expression of soluble VEGFR-1 in the pig

In view of the importance of vascular events observed during gestation, it was hypothesized that the VEGF-receptor system plays a critical role during early pregnancy and maternal recognition of pregnancy in pigs. This hypothesis was tested by examining the expression of the VEGF-receptor system in the porcine conceptus. Additionally, the endometrium, corpus luteum (CL) and embryos were studied for the expression of soluble VEGF receptor 1 (sVEGFR-1), the strong endogenous antagonist of VEGF. The expression patterns show that VEGF164 mRNA levels increase gradually in line with conceptus development, whereas VEGF120 and VEGFR-2 remain unchanged during the peri-implantation period. Interestingly, elevated VEGFR-1 expression was observed in conceptuses on days 15-16 of gestation (P < 0.05). Comparison of the endometrial sVEGFR-1 mRNA expression revealed up-regulation on days 12 and 15-16 of pregnancy (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Furthermore, increased sVEGFR-1 levels were observed on day 12 of the estrous cycle in the CL (P < 0.05). Concluding, it seems that conceptus-derived VEGF164 plays crucial role in peri-implantation vascular events in pigs. These results support a potential role of VEGFR-1 in the proper growth and development of porcine conceptus during pregnancy. Moreover, expression patterns of sVEGFR-1 in the endometrium of pregnant pigs suggest that it may participate in vascular remodeling important for successful implantation. Finally, luteal sVEGFR-1 may be involved in the maintenance of CL function whenever pregnancy occurs in pigs.     

Preimplantation antagonism of adrenomedullin action compromises fetoplacental development and reduces litter size

Concentrations of adrenomedullin (ADM) in circulation, the uterus, and corpora lutea (CL) increase during pregnancy. We previously reported a temporal-spatial pattern of ADM level and gene expression of Adm and its receptor components, from early pregnancy through midpregnancy to late pregnancy in rats. Two earlier reports using an in vivo model of ADM antagonism demonstrated the important roles of ADM in the post-implantation period. Treatment with ADM receptor blocker hADM22-52 starting from gestation Day 8 or Day 14 resulted in fetal-placental growth restriction and reduction in litter size. In this study, the endogenous ADM actions were abolished in the preimplantation period by infusing the antagonist for the ADM receptor (hADM22-52) with the osmotic (Alzet) pump from Days 1-4 of pregnancy. We inferred that ADM, acting through the ADM receptor, had critical roles during preimplantation, as brief inhibition of ADM action by hADM22-52 during this period reduced litter size by restricting placental growth and increasing fetal resorption in midpregnancy.     

Effects of thalidomide on reproductive function and early embryonic development in male and female New Zealand white rabbits

BACKGROUND : The present work was performed to determine the effect of thalidomide exposure on reproductive function and early embryonic development. METHODS : Twenty‐five female New Zealand White rabbits were orally gavaged with 0, 10, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day thalidomide 14 days prior to mating through to gestation day 7 for a total of 22 days. Treated females were Caesarean‐sectioned approximately 29 days after the date of attempted mating. Following mating with treated females, male rabbits (25/dose) were gavaged with 0, 30, 150, or 500 mg/kg/day beginning 14 days prior to mating with a group of untreated females (25/dose). Doses were administered through mating until the day before sacrifice for a minimum of 56 days. Untreated females were Caesarean‐sectioned 29 days after the last attempted mating. Comprehensive necropsy and histopathology of the reproductive system were performed. RESULTS : Treated females had reduction in body weight gain during gestation. Mating and pregnancy parameters were unaffected by thalidomide. At 100 m/kg, litter averages for corpora lutea, implantations, litter sizes, does with viable fetuses and live fetuses decreased and the number of early resorptions, does with any resorptions, does with all conceptuses resorbed, and the percent resorbed conceptuses per litter increased. The number of early resorptions, the average number of early resorptions per litter, and the percent resorbed conceptuses per litter increased at 10 and 50 mg/kg. There were no thalidomide‐related external fetal malformations. Mating and fertility in male rabbits were unaffected by thalidomide. There was an increased incidence of flaccid testes at 150 and 500 mg/kg and of bilateral small testes in all treated groups. At 500 mg/kg, there was degeneration of the germinal epithelium of the testicles with an increase in multinucleated giant cells in seminiferous tubule and a loss of round and elongating spermatids. CONCLUSIONS : Thalidomide had no adverse effects on mating and fertility in male and female rabbits dosed up to 500 and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively, for 14 days prior to mating. After 56 day of dosing, histopathologic changes with no associated sperm abnormalities were observed in the testicles. Embryonic development NOAEL for treated females mated to untreated males was <10 mg/kg. Corresponding fertility NOAEL for treated males mated to untreated females was 500 mg/kg. Birth Defects Res B 71:1–16, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Developmental toxicity of orally administered 2',3'-dideoxycytidine in mice

2',3'-Dideoxycytidine (DDC), a potent inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is presently undergoing clinical trials as a promising anti-AIDS drug. Since there are very limited published animal toxicity data available, and nucleoside analogues are being considered for treatment of HIV-infected pregnant women, a study was conducted in mice to investigate the potential adverse developmental effects of this drug. DDC, suspended in 0.5% methyl cellulose, was administered via gavage twice per day during gestation days (gd) 6 through 15 to C57Bl/6N mice in a total dose of 0, 200, 400, 1,000, or 2,000 mg/kg/day. Maternal weight gain during the gestation and treatment period, as well as gravid uterine weight, decreased significantly in the 2,000 mg group, but weight gain, corrected for gravid uterine weight, was not affected by DDC. The percent resorptions per litter increased significantly in the highest dose group, and there were fewer live litters because of complete litter resorption in six dams. Among litters with live fetuses, the mean litter size was significantly reduced in the 2,000 mg group. Average fetal body weight per litter decreased significantly in the 1,000 and 2,000 mg groups. The number of fetuses with any malformation, the number of litters with one or more malformed fetuses and the percent of malformed fetuses per litter increased significantly in the 1,000 and 2,000 mg groups. There was an increase in malformations at 400 mg/kg/day; however, it was not statistically significant. In conclusion, DDC produced developmental toxicity (malformations, reduced fetal body weight, and resorptions) in the absence of overt maternal toxicity except for body weight changes due to resorptions and reduced fetal weights.     

Assessing reproductive patterns and disorders in free-ranging dogs in Jodhpur, India to optimize a population control program

The objectives were to test the hypothesis that estrus and pregnancy are seasonal in free-ranging female dogs (>3 mo old) in Jodhpur, India, and to determine litter size, and the prevalence of fetal resorption in this population. The prevalence of estrus and pregnancy was determined in 5400 free-ranging bitches (trapped and released) at the time of ovariohysterectomy. In a separate study, the uteri and ovaries of 246 free-ranging bitches were examined to determine litter size and fetal resorption. The bitches exhibited seasonal estrus and pregnancy (P < 0.00001), with a higher percentage of bitches in estrus or pregnant during the late monsoon season (September to November) compared to the other three seasons. The mean litter size based on embryo/fetal counts was 4.6 (95% CI = 4.0-5.3; n = 40) and based upon placental site counts was 4.4 (95% CI = 3.9-4.8; n = 105). Prevalence of fetal resorption was 32.6% (95% CI = 20.5-47.5; n = 43) with a mean of 2.8 resorptions per litter in those with at least one resorption (95% CI = 1.8-3.8; n = 14). This was the first study to estimate previous litter size of non-pregnant, free-ranging dogs based upon placental sites. Litter size data from this study will be used in a population demographic model to predict the long-term impact of animal birth control (ABC) on the free-ranging dog population in Jodhpur. Increasing the efforts to surgically sterilize bitches prior to the time of year of peak pregnancy or whelping will help maximize the impact of an ABC program on the Jodhpur free-ranging dog population.     

Lack of dominant lethality in mice following 1-bromopropane treatment

1-Bromopropane (1-BP) is widely used in spray adhesives, precision cleaner, and degreaser. This study was conducted to investigate the potential of 1-BP to induce dominant lethality in mice. 1-BP was orally administered to males at doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg for 10 days before mating. Cyclophosphamide was used as a positive control (PC), which was administered intraperitoneally to males at 40 mg/kg for 5 days. The vehicle control (VC) group received corn oil only. Thereafter, males were mated with untreated females during six sequential mating periods of a week each. Males were sacrificed at the end of mating and so were the pregnant females on days 15-17 of gestation. Clinical signs, gross findings, mating index, gestation index, the numbers of corpora lutea, implantations, live fetuses, resorptions and dead fetuses, pre- and post-implantation losses, and dominant lethal mutation rate were examined. There were no treatment-related changes in clinical signs, gross findings, mating index, gestation index, number of corpora lutea and implantations, pre-implantation loss, live fetuses, resorptions, dead fetuses, post-implantation loss at any 1-BP doses tested. In the PC group, there were no treatment-related changes in mating index, gestation index, number of corpora lutea, and dead fetuses. However, a decrease in the number of implantations and an increase in pre-implantation loss were observed during the first 2 weeks as compared to those of the VC group. No treatment-related changes were observed in the third to sixth weeks. Increases in resorptions, fetal deaths and post-implantation loss, and a decrease in the number of live fetuses were observed in the first 3 weeks of the PC group compared to those of the VC group. However, no treatment-related changes were observed during the forth to sixth weeks. An increase in dominant lethal mutation rate was observed in 1-3 weeks of mating of the PC group, but there was no significant difference in 1-6 weeks of mating of the 1-BP treatment groups. In conclusion, 1-BP did not induce dominant lethality in mice. These results are in agreement with the report of Saito-Suzuki et al., demonstrating that no dominant lethality of 1-BP was observed in Sprague-Dawley rats.     

梅山猪胚胎附植期EphB2的组织表达及RNA-seq分析

猪产仔数是一个重要的经济和繁殖性状, 而胚胎附植是影响猪产仔数的重要因素。为了研究促红细胞生成素产生肝细胞受体B2 (EphB2)对猪胚胎附植过程中子宫内膜迁移和粘附活动的影响, 文章以太湖流域梅山猪为研究对象, 利用实时荧光定量PCR (qRT-PCR)和蛋白免疫印迹(Western blot)方法, 检测EphB2基因在梅山猪胚胎附植前、中、后期子宫内膜附植点/非附植点和卵巢组织的mRNA和蛋白表达谱, 并用转录组测序(RNA-seq)方法分析了不同附植时期子宫内膜附植点和卵巢组织的差异表达基因。qRT-PCR和Western blot结果表明, EphB2在胚胎附植前、中、后期子宫内膜附植点和非附植点的mRNA和蛋白均呈现先升高后降低的表达趋势, 且附植中期的表达量显著高于前期和后期(P<0.01);EphB2在附植前、中、后期卵巢中的mRNA和蛋白表达趋势则相反, 为先降低后升高, 且不同时期间表达差异显著(P<0.05)。RNA-seq结果表明, EphB2在子宫内膜附植点的mRNA表达, 附植中期极显著高于附植前期(P<0.01);EphB2在卵巢的mRNA表达, 附植中期显著高于附植后期(P<0.05)。综上所述, EphB2很可能在猪胚胎附植过程中发挥着重要的调控作用, 为潜在的猪产仔数性状候选基因。     

Optimization of embryo transfer protocols for mice

The efficiency of ova transfer and subsequent survivability were explored in this study. The goals of the experiment were to 1) determine the minimum number of ova necessary for pregnancy maintenance, 2) ascertain if the number of zygotes used in ova transfer approaches or exceeds uterine capacity, and 3) establish if location of deposition of ova influences embryo survival. A total of 1647 pronuclear zygotes were transferred in groups of 1, 2, 4, 6, 15 or 25 on Day 1 of gestation either via the oviducal ampulla or ostium to 156 nulliparous ICR pseudopregnant female mice. Pregnancy status was determined on Day 12 or Day 19 of gestation. Results indicated that pregnancy rates were not significantly increased by transferring larger numbers of zygotes (P < 0.1504) and that beyond transfer of 15 zygotes, the progressive increase in fetal numbers per litter declined. However, on Day 19 of gestation, no definitive evidence of limitation of uterine capacity was obtained with the numbers of zygotes transferred (P < 0.0531), and the estimates of numbers of viable and resorbed fetuses differed when determinations were made on Day 12 versus Day 19 of gestation. Mean numbers of developed fetuses per recipient declined (P < 0.0001), whereas the number of resorptions (partially resorbed fetuses or resorption sites) increased (P < 0.0001) over this period, reflecting fetal loss in mid- to late-gestation and possibly the transient nature of resorptions prior to Day 12. Additionally, there was no difference in pregnancy outcome when transferring ova into the oviducal ostium or isthmus (P < 0.5256). Finally, these results illustrated that when large numbers of zygotes were transferred into the oviducal ampulla, equivalent numbers of ova eventually implanted in the uterus; however, proportionally more of them began resorption.     

Time related changes in luteal prostaglandin synthesis and steroidogenic capacity during pregnancy, normal and antiprogestin induced luteolysis in the bitch

In nonpregnant and pregnant dogs the corpora lutea (CL) are the only source of progesterone (P4) which shows an almost identical secretion pattern until the rapid decrease of P4 prior to parturition. For the nonpregnant dog clear evidence has been obtained that physiological luteal regression is devoid of a functional role of the PGF2α-system and seems to depend on the provision of StAR. Yet in pregnant dogs the rapid prepartal luteal regression, coinciding with an increase of PGF2α, may be indicative for different regulatory mechanisms. To assess this situation and by applying semi-quantitative Real Time (Taq Man) RT-PCR, expression patterns were determined for the following factors in CL of pregnant and prepartal dogs and of mid-pregnant dogs treated with the antiprogestin Aglepristone: cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox2), prostaglandin E2 synthase (PGES), prostaglandin F2α synthase (PGFS), its receptors (EP2, EP4 an FP), the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), 3β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase (3βHSD) and the progesterone receptor (PR). Peripheral plasma P4 concentrations were determined by RIA. CL were collected via ovariohysterectomy from pregnant bitches (n = 3–5) on days 8–12 (Group 1, pre-implantation period), days 18–25 (Group 2, post-implantation period), days 35–40 (Group 3, mid-gestation period) and during the prepartal progesterone decline (Group 4). Additionally, CL were obtained from groups of 5 mid-pregnant dogs (days 40–45) 24 h, respectively 72 h after the second treatment with Aglepristone. Expression of Cox2 and PGES was highest during the pre-implantation period, that of PGFS and FP during the post-implantation period. EP4 and EP2 revealed a constant expression pattern throughout pregnancy with a prepartal upregulation of EP2. 3βHSD and StAR decreased significantly from the pre-implatation period to prepartal luteolysis, it was matched by the course of P4 concentrations. Expression of the PR was higher during mid-gestation and prepartal luteolysis than in the two preceding periods. After application of Aglepristone the overall mRNA-expression resembled the situation during prepartal luteolysis except for EP2, which remained unchanged.These data suggest that – as in the nonpregnant bitch – also in the pregnant bitch luteal production of prostaglandins is associated with luteal support rather than luteolysis. On the other hand induction of luteolysis by the PR blocker Aglepristone points to a role of luteal P4 as an autocrine factor in a positive loop feedback system controlling the availability of P4, StAR and 3βHSD.     

Apoptosis at the time of embryo implantation in mouse and rat.

The aim of this review is to summarize the information currently available regarding the occurrence of apoptosis in the developing embryo and in the receptive uterus during the peri-implantation period of gestation. Cell death is detected in the inner cell mass of late pre-implantation embryos as the result of an eliminative process that helps trim the embryonic cell lineages of surplus or dysfunctional stem cells. Cell death is also detected in the epiblastic core of early post-implantation embryos, where the process is implicated in the formation of the pro-amniotic cavity. On the maternal side, uterine epithelial cells situated around the attachment site undergo cell death during the initial phase of implantation in order to facilitate embryo anchorage and access to maternal blood supply. Uterine stromal cells closest to the implantation chamber first transform into decidual cells and then commit suicide to make room for the rapidly growing embryo. Although apoptosis is well recognized as a crucial determinant of successful peri-implantation development, our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating this process clearly lags behind the comprehension of cell death control in other systems.     

Effect of HCG on resorption and fetal weight in the hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

Female hamsters were given either low (10 i.u.) or high (100 i.u.) doses of HCG on day 6, 7, or 8 of gestation. Maternal weight at breeding was found to have a significant effect on litter size and the number of resorptions, but not on mean fetal weight, in both control and treatment groups. Treatment regimens produced significant changes in litter size, number of resorptions, mean fetal weight, and resorption site by position within the uterine horns. No teratogenic effects were produced as judged by gross morphological examination.     

Effect of empty uterine space on birth intervals and fetal and placental development in pigs

A substantial loss of embryos occurs between Days 30 and 40 of pregnancy in the pig under crowded intrauterine conditions, but it is not clear whether this loss affects the growth of adjacent conceptuses. Birth intervals are known to increase with decreasing litter size, but the factors responsible are unknown. Two possibilities are that increased birth weight associated with reduced litter size and the empty uterine space and resulting constricted uterine regions that occur in pigs with small litters may impair piglet delivery. To address these, pregnant gilts were laparotomized on Day 35 of pregnancy and one or two fetuses were manually crushed through the uterine wall on the ovarian or cervical end of each uterine horn to create an empty uterine space behind or in front of the litter of piglets, respectively, in relation to the route of delivery from the uterus. A subset of gilts was slaughtered at 105 days of gestation to confirm that the empty uterine spaces were successfully created and to determine their effects on placental and fetal weights of adjacent conceptuses. At slaughter, the lengths of all externally visible empty constricted regions of the uterus were measured. The uterine horns were opened and the lengths of each placenta were measured from the umbilicus toward the ovary and toward the cervix to assess whether placentas developed symmetrically, and then each fetus and placenta was weighed. Fetal crushing successfully created constricted empty uterine regions on the ovarian and cervical ends of the uterine horns. Ovarian-side placental lengths were greater than cervical-side for conceptuses adjacent to fetuses crushed on the ovarian end of the horn. Cervical-side placental lengths were greater than ovarian-side for conceptuses adjacent to fetuses crushed on the cervical end. Both placental and fetal weights were greater (10% and 6%, respectively, P<0.05) for conceptuses adjacent to crushed fetuses compared to nonadjacent conceptuses. Remaining gilts were farrowed to determine the effect of litter size, average birth weights, and treatment on birth intervals of piglets, which were monitored using 24-h video surveillance. The negative association between number of piglets born alive and average birth interval was confirmed and was not explained by litter size-induced reduction in litter average birth weights. Birth intervals and stillbirth rate did not differ between cervically- and ovarian-treated gilts. These results indicate that conceptus loss on Day 35 of gestation can benefit the growth of adjacent placentas and fetuses, but the benefit is small. Increased average birth weight and the presence of empty uterine space that occurs when litter size is reduced does not fully explain the effect of litter size on birth intervals.     

Effects of estradiol and progesterone on early embryonic development in aging rats

Regularly cyclic, middle-aged female rats exhibit a decreased incidence of fertility, and those females that are fertile produce small litters. These decreases in fertility and litter size are associated with reduced numbers of normal blastocysts formed and implanted, suggesting that pre- and/or peri-implantation failures may be the causes for these aging-related reproductive declines. The present study examined the relationships and influence of circulating estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels on early embryonic development and implantation in middle-aged rats. Serial blood samples obtained from cannulated, middle-aged pregnant rats revealed minor decreases in plasma P and increases in E2 levels during Days 2-4 of pregnancy, compared to young pregnant rats, resulting in significantly (p less than 0.001) decreased plasma P/E2 ratios. These alterations in endogenous hormone secretion in middle-aged pregnant rats were associated with fewer normal blastocysts on Day 5 of pregnancy and reduced numbers of normally implanting embryos. Correlation analysis further revealed a significant (p less than 0.05) inverse relationship between mean circulating E2 levels and numbers of normal conceptuses on Day 12 of gestation. Moreover, s.c. administration of P implants (in Silastic) to middle-aged pregnant rats increased serum P levels by about 34-40 ng/ml, and significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced the incidence of abnormal embryos before implantation. In contrast, treatment with E2 minipumps produced a sustained rise in serum E2 (by about 7-15 pg/ml) and resulted in the complete absence of embryos in the reproductive tracts by Day 5 of pregnancy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Embryonic mortality during the pre- and post-implantation periods of pregnancy in mature mice after superovulation.

Sexually mature mice were stimulated to superovulate by giving exogenous gonadotrophins at known stages of the oestrous cycle. Untreated animals which ovulated spontaneously served as controls. The number of oocytes ovulated by each female was estimated from counts of the number of CL of pregnancy, and the incidence of embryonic mortality during the pre- and post-implantation stages of pregnancy was assessed from the number of zygotes recovered from the reproductive tract at 2-0 and 4-0 days post coitum and of conceptuses examined at 7-5 and 11-5 days post coitum. The mean number of oocytes ovulated by treated animals was 39-54, compared with 12-80 in controls: in mice which had superovulated, 44% of the ova were lost before implantation compared with about 10% in the controls. Further losses occurred about the time of implantation and at mid-pregnancy and thus the number of embryos classified as normal rarely exceeded the maximum found in controls. Death at mid-pregnancy seemed to be preceded by developmental retardation. The possibility that genetic and environmental factors play a role in embryonic loss after superovulation is discussed.     

Cardiolipin-enriched raft-like microdomains are essential activating platforms for apoptotic signals on mitochondria

Cardiolipin (CL) has recently been shown to provide an anchor and an essential activating platform for caspase-8 on mitochondria. We hypothesize that these platforms may correspond to “raft-like” microdomains, which have demonstrated to be detectable on mitochondrial membrane of cells undergoing apoptosis. The role for CL in “raft-like” microdomains could be to anchor caspase-8 at contact sites between inner and outer membranes, facilitating its self-activation, Bid cleavage and apoptosis execution. The role played by “raft-like” microdomains in the apoptotic program could introduce a new task in the pathogenetic studies on human diseases associated with cardiolipin dismetabolism.     

Ovulation rate, embryo survival and ovarian sensitivity to gonadotrophins in mice selected for litter size and body weight

Single trait selection of mice for either large body size or large litter size resulted in an increased ovulation rate because of possible enhanced ovarian sensitivity to gonadotrophins. There was no difference in pre-implantation embryonic survival in either of the selected lines when compared to control mice. Selection for body weight did not alter post-implantation embryo survival, but fewer fetuses were lost after implantation in the litter size line compared to the control line. Index selection for large body size and small litter size did not change ovulation rate but increased pre- and post-implantation embryonic mortality. Selection for small body size and large litter size increased ovulation rate and decreased early embryonic death.     

Reproductive and peri- and postnatal evaluation of Spirulina maxima in mice

Spirulina maxima, provided by Sosa Texcoco Company (México City), was administered to mice of both sexes in a fertility study, at concentrations of 0, 10, 20 and 30% incorporated into the diet. Males were fed for nine weeks while females, for two weeks, and feeding continued during the mating period and gestation. On the other hand, in a peri- and postnatal study, the alga was given only to females at the same concentrations from day 15 of gestation until day 21 post-partum. Treatments were not associated with any adverse effect on reproductive performance, pregnancy rate, number of corpora lutea, resorptions or number of live or dead fetuses. There was no increase in the number of abnormal pups at caesarean section. Length of gestation, parturition status, and litter values were unaffected by treatment. However, there was a statistically significant reduction in bodyweight and survival rate on postnatal days 0–4 at the high dose group in the peri- and postnatal study. The reproductive performance of F₁ generation was normal in all groups. We conclude that S. maxima is not toxic to reproduction. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of litter size on blood haematocrit and liveweight in Booroola Merino and Merino ewes during pregnancy and the post-partum period

Blood haematocrit and liveweight were determined throughout pregnancy and the post-partum period in 217 Booroola Merino and Merino ewes in order to relate these parameters to litter size at birth. In pregnant ewes, haematocrit declined from three until five months gestation, rose immediately after parturition then declined until two months post-partum. During the third to fifth month of gestation, haematocrit decreased in proportion to litter size. Nonpregnant ewes, measured at similar intervals, did not show the same pattern. Haematocrit of nonpregnant animals was higher than that of triplet-bearing ewes at three, four and five months gestation, but was only significantly different to single- and twin-bearing ewes at five months. The liveweight of pregnant ewes increased up to parturition and then declined until two months post-partum. The liveweight of nonpregnant ewes increased over the experimental period. It was concluded that the number of foetuses a ewe carried had significant effects on the decline in haematocrit during pregnancy. Haematocrit was not a precise indicator of litter size in sheep. Haematocrit, ewe liveweight and ovulation rate together in a multiple regression only accounted for 37% of the variation in litter size.     

Effects of social stress during early pregnancy on litter size and sex ratio in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

Primiparous female hamsters were mated to proven breeders and stressed during early pregnancy. Females were housed singly throughout gestation except for Days 4, 5 and 6 when they were paired for 10-min intervals 3 times each day with another female matched for age, weight and day of pregnancy. Within each of the pairs, one female was consistently dominant to the other. Controls were exposed to a novel area instead of a conspecific. At parturition, all pups were counted, sexed and weighed. There were no significant differences between litter sizes or sex ratios (defined as % male) of control and dominant females. Litter sizes produced by control or dominant dams were significantly larger than those of subordinate dams, and litter sex ratios of dominants were significantly higher than those of subordinates. Subordinate dams produced fewer males than did dominant dams, but there was no difference in the number of females produced. Also, subordinate dams produced smaller pups than control dams. Examination of uterine implantation sites and fetal resorptions indicated that fetal loss occurred between Days 5 and 10 of pregnancy. These results suggest that subordinate dams produce smaller litters via selective resorption or spontaneous abortion of males in utero and that those males they do produce are smaller than those produced by dominant or control dams. We suggest that males are more susceptible in utero to effects of maternal stress in this species, and may require more maternal investment to survive to term.