U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Livestock Bio-Systems: Clay Center, NE
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    USMARC Home
                    USMARC Research Units
                        Genetics and Animal Breeding
                                    Meat Safety & Meat Quality
                                    Nutrition, Growth and Physiology
                                    Animal Health GenomicsSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Plains Area Clay Center, Nebraska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center Livestock Bio-Systems Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications
- IACUC Summaries

Title:   Author  item
                                            Vallet, Jeffitem
                                            Leymaster, Kregitem
                                            Christenson, Ronald
  Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
                                    Publication Type: Review Article
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 2/4/2002
                                    Publication  Date: 12/20/2002
                                    Citation: Vallet, J.L., Leymaster, K.A., Christenson, R.K. 2002. The influence of uterine function on embryonic and fetal survival. Journal of Animal Science. 80(E. Suppl. 2):E115-E125.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: The secretion rate of growth factors and the delivery rate of nutrients by the uterus to the conceptus affects the growth rate, development and survival of the conceptus. Many growth factors are products of uterine tissue. Transport of some nutrients is aided by specific transporter molecules on the uterine endometrial epithelial cell, while others (e.g.,  retinol, iron, folate) are incorporated into uterine secreted proteins (e.g., retinol binding protein, uteroferrin, folate binding protein).  The rate of production of these proteins during pregnancy profoundly affects pregnancy outcome. Both global and specific effects of uterine products on aspects of conceptus development can influence pregnancy success by entraining conceptus development, so that the uterine environment and the developmental stage of the conceptus match. For example, the uterus of the Meishan pig secretes less protein prior to elongation, which slows  conceptus development, results in smaller placentas and smaller fetuses, and allows for greater litter size. Furthermore, in Occidental pig breeds, an earlier rise in progesterone at the beginning of pregnancy accelerates the onset of protein secretion, increases estrogen secretion by the conceptus, increases the size of the fetus in later pregnancy, and decreases litter size. Studies of fetal erythropoiesis also indicate that specific uterine products (uteroferrin, folate binding protein) are required for this important aspect of fetal development and that greater litter size is associated with improved erythropoiesis. Thus, manipulation of uterine function can modify conceptus development and impact pregnancy success in domestic livestock.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov