Effect of intrauterine growth restriction on weight and cellularity of gastrointestinal tract in postnatal lambs

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) during late pregnancy on weight and cellularity of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in postnatal lambs. Twenty-three Mongolian lambs were entered into the study. Their dams were mated at a synchronized estrus and divided into three groups offered 0.175 MJ ME kg-0.75 d-1 (Restricted Group 1, RG1), 0.33 MJ ME kg-0.75 d-1 (Restricted Group 2, RG2) and Control Group (CG, ad libitum access to feed) during their late pregnancy (90 d), respectively. The lambs were slaughtered at birth (neonatal lambs) and at 28 wk of age. The neonatal abomasum weight, jejunum weight and length, abomasum and jejunum DNA content, and the reticulum protein:DNA ratio were lower for RG1 than those of CG (P < 0.05). At 28 wk of age, there were no significant difference in the weights and lengths of jejunum and the weight of abomasum in the lambs among RG1, RG2 and CG (P > 0.05). However, the rumen and omasum weight, and omasum DNA content were lower for RG1 than for CG (P < 0.05). For the jejunum, the protein:DNA ratios in RG2 were significantly higher than those of CG (P < 0.05). These changes in the weight and cellularity of the GIT may have significant implications on postnatal growth and health. Key words: Intrauterine growth restriction, postnatal lambs, gastrointestinal tract, weight, cellularity