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Uterine Blood Flow and Nutrient Uptake during Late Gestation in Ewes with Different Number of Fetuses¹

University of Nebraska and U.S. Department of Agriculture^,4, Clay Center, NE 68933

Abstract

Twenty-three unanesthetized ewes with single, twin or triplet lambs and with indwelling femoral artery and utero-ovarian vein catheters were studied at 105 or 121 days of gestation. Glucose and -amino acid nitrogen (-NH₂-N) uptake by the gravid uterus was determined from arterial-venous (A-V) differences and utero-ovarian blood flow measurements. Uterine blood flow was determined by p-amino-hippuric acid (PAH) dilution and radioactive microspheres methods and results from the two methods in eight animals were highly correlated (r = .93; P<.01). Arterial blood flow (microsphere method) to the gravid uterus was greater than utero-ovarian vein blood flow (PAH method) by a factor of 1.3 3.

Utero-ovarian vein blood flow in ewes with twin fetuses at 105 days of gestation was 958 ± 164 ml/min and was approximately 406 ml/min greater (P<.1) in ewes with triplets at the same stage of gestation. Utero-ovarian vein blood flow increased (P<.1) 400 ml/min as stage of gestation increased from 105 to 121 days of gestation for ewes with twins. Total glucose and -NH₂-N uptake (mg/min) tended to increase with stage of gestation and tended to be greater at 105 days of gestation in ewes with triplets than in ewes with twins. If utero-ovarian vein blood flow and total glucose and -NH₂-N uptake are expressed as ml or mg/kg of fetus/ min, respectively, then there appears to be no increase as stage of gestation increases from 105 to 121 days or as a result of greater fetal number per ewe. This suggests that uterine blood flow and nutrient uptake appear to be closely related to amount of uterine, placental and/or fetal tissue.

¹ Published as Paper No. 5305 Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, Lincoln. Appreciation is expressed to Mr. Bruce Larsen and Mr. Richard Kouba for the care of experimental animals, and to Ms. B. DeChairo and Ms. S. Schiefelbien for laboratory assistance.

² Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center.

³ U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Agricultural Research Service.

⁴ Mention of a trade name, proprietary product, or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable.

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