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Blood Flow and Steroid and Nutrient Uptake of the Gravid Uterus and Fetus of Sows¹

Iowa State University^,4, Ames 50011 and U.S. Department of Agriculture^,2, Clay Center, NE 68933

Abstract

Uterine and umbilical blood samples and blood flow (BF) measurements were obtained from one uterine horn and a single fetus of sows at d 70, 90 and 110 of gestation. Concentrations of O₂ in blood and of estrogen (E), progesterone (P), glucose, -amino nitrogen (N) and urea N in plasma were determined. Fetal weights were .267 ± .018, .633 ± .019 and 1.208 ± .073 kg on d 70, 90 and 110, respectively. Uterine and umbilical BF remained constant with day of gestation, averaging 1.51 ± .06 and .31 ± .02 liters/min. Uptake of P by a uterine horn and fetus remained constant, but secretion of E by a uterine horn and uptake of E by a fetus increased (P<.05) with stage of gestation. Uterine and fetal uptake of 0₂, glucose and -amino N did not change and uptake of 0₂, glucose and -amino N per kg fetus decreased (P<.01) as gestation advanced. Secretion of urea N from the uterus was observed, with a concentration gradient from the fetal to the uterine circulations. Uterine and fetal respiratory quotients for glucose were .79 and .38, respectively. Thus, although glucose potentially served as a major energy source, a large portion of the energy requirements of the fetal pig were met by catabolism of other substrates. The decrease in umbilical BF and uptake of nutrients per kg fetus with day of gestation suggested that porcine fetal metabolism declined as pregnancy advanced.

¹ The authors thank Bill McDonald, Fred Philips and Debbie Robertson for their technical expertise, Steve Dullard and Matt Jones for surgical assistance, and Kathy Leising for typing the manuscript. Cooperation of the Nebraska Agr. Exp. Sta., Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, is acknowledged.

² Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, ARS, SE, Clay Center, NE 68933. Mention of trade name, proprietary product or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the USDA and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable.

³ Postdoctoral research fellow supported by a cooperative agreement (ARS-3415-0107-3090-20361-058A) between the USDA and Iowa State Univ.

⁴ Dept. of Anim. Sci. Journal Paper J-11471 of the Iowa Agr. and Home Econ. Exp. Sta., Ames Proj. 1994, 2443 and 2444.

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