Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Fetal fat comprises both brown and white adipocytes. Brown fat possess a unique uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), whose abundance is regulated in part by the prolactin receptor (PRLR), whereas white fat is characterised as secreting leptin. The present study aimed to determine if the relationship between mRNA abundance for each of these molecular indices of adipose tissue function was nutritionally regulated.Methods: Twenty singleton-bearing ewe...

Introduction: Maternal dexamethasone (DEX) treatment is known to promote thermoregulation in the newborn lamb by increasing the amount of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). The extent to which the IGF axis within adipose tissue (AT) may be altered following such treatment is not known.Methods: Eight triplet bearing ewes were entered into the study, 5 of which were injected with 16 micrograms of DEX at 138 days of gestation (term = 147 days). Caesarean section ...

Introduction: In sheep, modest maternal nutrient restriction over the period of rapid placental growth restricts placentome growth. Maternal plasma IGF-I concentration is unaffected but effects on placental IGF-I receptor mRNA expression are not known.Methods: Twenty singleton-bearing ewes of similar body weight and parity were entered into the study. Ten ewes consumed 60% of their total energy requirements (i.e. nutrient restricted, NR) from 28 to 80 da...