Chronic Undernutrition in Ovine Twin Pregnancies Abolishes Differences in Birth Weight Due to Sex: An Evaluation of the Role of Nutritional and Antioxidant Supplementation

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dc.contributor.authorSales, Francisco
dc.contributor.authorPeralta, oscar A.
dc.contributor.authorde los Reyes, Monica
dc.contributor.authorSandoval, Camila
dc.contributor.authorMartinez-Ros, Paula
dc.contributor.authorRojas, Carolina
dc.contributor.authorGonzales-Bulnes, Antonio
dc.contributor.authorParraguez, Victor H.
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-20T17:07:15Z
dc.date.available2025-01-20T17:07:15Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.abstractSimple Summary The fetal growth pattern in twin pregnancies is usually affected by the sex of the co-twin pairs, among other factors, with females being lighter than males at birth. We aimed to determine the effect of the sex of co-twins on lambs' birth weight in ovine pregnancies developed under natural undernourishment, a condition of sheep farming frequently encountered worldwide. Additionally, we sought to investigate whether the nutritional and/or antioxidant supplementation provided to ewes during pregnancy could modulate the potential effects associated with the sex of co-twins. We found that maternal nutrient restriction abolishes the sex differences in body weight at birth between co-twins. However, improving maternal nutrition and supplementation with antioxidants during gestation not only improves maternal weight and body condition but also tends to restore birth weight and its differences between female and male offspring, an effect that is enhanced with the combined supplementation of concentrated food and antioxidants. These results suggest that undernutrition not only may alter the intrauterine growth through the maternal-fetal relationship, but also through the feto-fetal relationship, which can be normalized via strategically targeting interventions such as maternal nutrient supplementation or antioxidant supplementation during gestation. Thus, a better understanding of the driving factors of this effect is of major relevance to improving fetal growth and lamb survival in harsh environments.Abstract In twin pregnancies of discordant sex, the male fetus grows larger than the female co-twin. Our study aimed to determine the effect of the sex of co-twins on lambs' birth weight in ovine pregnancies developed under natural undernourishment. Additionally, we investigated whether the nutritional and/or antioxidant supplementation provided to ewes during pregnancy could modulate the potential effects associated with the sex of co-twins. Ninety-six birth records of twin pregnancies of sheep grazing the natural Patagonian prairies were analyzed. The animals were divided into four groups: control (no supplementation), N (concentrate supplementation, 100% NRC), A (antioxidant supplementation), and NA (concentrate + antioxidant supplementation). Supplementation occurred from day 35 of gestation onwards until lambing. There were no differences in female or male birth weight in the control undernourished group. However, in group N, females or males with sex-discordant co-twins had a higher birth weight than did those with co-twins of the same sex. Group A males with female co-twins had a higher birth weight compared to males whose co-twins were also males. In NA lambs, males had a higher birth weight compared to females, regardless of their co-twin's sex. Therefore, chronic undernutrition abolished the differences in birth weight due to fetal sex. Restoring maternal nutrition or antioxidant supplementation tends to normalize birth weight and restore the differences between females and males. This effect is enhanced with the combined supplementation of concentrated food and antioxidants.
dc.fuente.origenWOS
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/ani14060974
dc.identifier.issn2076-2615
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.3390/ani14060974
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/90847
dc.identifier.wosidWOS:001191515800001
dc.issue.numero6
dc.language.isoen
dc.revistaAnimals
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subjectsheep pregnancy
dc.subjectfetal sex
dc.subjecttwins
dc.subjectnutrition
dc.subjectantioxidants
dc.subject.ods03 Good Health and Well-being
dc.subject.ods05 Gender Equality
dc.subject.odspa03 Salud y bienestar
dc.subject.odspa05 Igualdad de género
dc.titleChronic Undernutrition in Ovine Twin Pregnancies Abolishes Differences in Birth Weight Due to Sex: An Evaluation of the Role of Nutritional and Antioxidant Supplementation
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen14
sipa.indexWOS
sipa.trazabilidadWOS;2025-01-12
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