The document discusses gestation and parturition (birth) across several species. It covers topics like fertilization, fetal development, placental structures and types, recognition of pregnancy, fetal growth, the stages and hormones of parturition, dystocia (difficult birth), and lactation. Key details are provided on the placental characteristics, birth processes and signals, and gestation lengths of cows, sheep, sows, and mares.

1. Gestation The period of fetal development beginning with fertilization and ending with parturition Leonardo da Vinci, "The Foetus in Utero," 1489

2. Fertilization Zygote: diploid cell resulting from the fusion of the male and female pronuclei (syngamy) Embryo: organism in the early stages of development; not recognizable as a member of a specific species

3. Cleavage Following fertilization the zygote undergoes several mitotic divisions inside the zona pellucida (overall size does not change). 1 st cleavage yields a 2 celled embryo, each cell is called a blastomere and is totipotent Divisions continue rapidly until the 32 cell stage

4. Preattachment development of the embryo Senger, pg 286 8-cell embryo morula early blastocyst hatched blastocyst

5. Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy Necessary to prevent luteolysis Occurs prior to implantation/placentation Differs among species

6. Pregnancy Recognition Signals Cow – bovine interferon tau (bIFNt); produced by conceptus, days 15-16 of gestation are critical Sheep – ovine interferon tau (IFNt); produced by conceptus, days 13-14 of gestation Sow – Estradiol; produced by conceptus and causes a reroute of PGF 2 α ; must occur days 11-12 Mare – Protein/estrogen complex and embryo migration; beginning day 12 embyro must migrate 12-15 times per day Senger, pgs 291-295

7. Differentiation Formation of three germ layers Formation of the extraembryonic membranes (placenta) Formation of organs Rapid changes in relative size

8. Three Embryonic Germ Layers Inner cell mass (ICM) = embryo Trophoblast = chorion Ectoderm Nervous system, skin, hair Mesoderm Muscle, skeleton, Cardiovascular system, Reproductive system Endoderm Digestive system, lungs, endocrine system Senger, pg 81-82 ICM Blastocoele

9. Extraembryonic Membranes Senger, pg 290

10. Function of Fetal Membranes and Fluids Yolk Sac – Originates from fetal midgut. Nutrient supply for early embryo. Absorbs uterine sectretions from endometrium to stimulate early embryonic development. Amnion – Innermost membrane directly surrounding the fetus. Protects from injury and provides lubrication for parturition. Prevents lung collapse and opens digestive tract. Allantois – Originates from the gut and forms the umbilicus. Supports blood vessels. Reservoir of nutrients and wastes. Chorioallantois: product of fusion between the allantoic and chorionic membranes Chorion – Outermost membrane in direct contact with uterine tissue. Becomes vascularized by allantoic vessels. Site of hormone production, nutrient and gas exchange.

11. Placenta PLACENTA: organ of nutrient and waste exchange between the fetal blood and maternal blood PLACENTAL SHAPE: defines the proportion of surface area shared between fetal membranes and maternal uterine tissue where exchange occurs PLACENTAL TYPE: defines the structure of cell layers separating fetal blood from maternal blood

12. Placental Shapes Diffuse – noninvasive Cotyledonary – placentomes are the point of high throughput maternal/fetal contact Zonary/Discoid – invasive; most direct contact between fetal and maternal blood Senger pgs 308-310

13. Diffuse Placenta Uterine Endometrium Fetal Chorion Senger, pg 308

14. Cotyledonary Placenta Senger, pg 310

15. Cotyledonary Placenta Fetus Umbilicus Placentomes

16. Types of Placentas Maternal Blood Maternal endothelium Maternal connective tissue Maternal epithelium Fetal epithelium Fetal connective tissue Fetal endothelium Fetal Blood Type = degree of invasiveness, based on layers separating maternal blood from the fetal epithelium Least Invasive epitheliochorial synepitheliochorial endotheliochorial Most Invasive hemochorial

17. SPECIES SHAPE TYPE Cow Cotyledonary Epitheliochorial Ewe Cotyledonary Synepitheliochorial Sow Diffuse Epitheliochorial Mare Diffuse Epitheliochorial Dog, Cat Zonary Endotheliochorial Primates Discoid Hemochorial Rodents Discoid Hemochorial Placentation by Species

18. Hormones Produced by the Placenta equine Chorionic Gonadotropin: maintains primary CL, responsible for formation and maintenance of accessory CL. human Chorionic Gonadotropin: maintain CL Progesterone: in some species (ewe, mare, woman) the placenta takes over progesterone production later in gestation. ~”progesterone block” – inhibits myometrial contractions Estrogen: peak of E2 signals preparturient period in some species Placental Lactogen: stimulates growth of fetus and mammary glands Relaxin: softens connective tissue in the cervix and relaxes pelvic ligaments

19. Fetal Growth Growth : period of development from embryo to fully developed fetus, prior to parturition Example of development relative to time for the bovine Calcification of Bone Matrix 70 days Extensive Bone Formation 180 days Tooth Formation 110 days Hair, eyes, muzzle 150 days Hair over entire body 230 days

20. Relative Development Cleavage Differentiation Growth More than 50% of the total weight of the fetus at parturition is gained during the last two months of gestation fertilization ZP Disintegration parturition placentation Shift from classification as embryo to fetus

21. Days 45-147 Days 11-45 Days 0-10 Sheep Days 68-336 Days 15-68 Days 0-14 Mare Days 28-113 Days 7-28 Days 0-6 Sow Days 45-283 Days 13-45 Days 0-12 Cow Growth Differentiation Cleavage Species

22. Parturition The process by which the uterus expels the products of conception

23. Stages of Parturition Stage I – preparatory stage involving cervical dilation and positioning of the fetus in the birth canal via myometrial contractions. Stage II – time of hard labor and expulsion of the fetus. Stage III – expulsion of the placental membranes and subsequent uterine involution.

24. Brief Definitions Dystocia – difficult birth Usually refers to calving difficulty i.e., absolute or relative Presentation – direction of fetal delivery Anterior, posterior, or transverse i.e., anterior = head first Position – orientation of the fetus Dorsal or ventral side up or lateral Posture – location of the legs, head, and neck relates to normal/abnormal posture

25. Cattle Dystocia is the major cause of calf loss Relative Dystocia – normal sized calf and a small birth canal Absolute Dystocia – abnormally large calf and a normally sized birth canal Most common cause of dystocia is from an oversized calf Hiplock – shoulders of the calf “lock” onto the bones of the pelvis during delivery Results in the calf getting stuck in the birth canal

26. Cattle Stages: Stage I – lasts from 1-4 hours (seldom noticed) Stage II – begins with the rupture of the allantochorion Should allow for 2-3 hours for a normal birth to occur without interfering Stage III – begins after expulsion of the fetus Lasts up to 4 – 5 hours after fetal expulsion Presentation: Anterior Position: Dorsal side up Posture: Front legs first (slightly offset), bottom of hooves facing down, and nose between front legs

27. Sheep The process of parturition in the sheep is very similar to that in cattle Twins are present if a front and rear leg appear together

28. Swine Duration of farrowing (parturition): 4 – 48 minutes per piglet Presentation: Anterior or posterior Position: Dorsal or ventral side up Posture: Not specific

29. Horses Foaling time is difficult to predict Relaxation of the sacrosciatic ligament Distended mammary glands - days Waxing – within 48 hours

30. Foaling Stages: Stage I – lasts ~ 1 hour Restlessness, sweating in flanks Stage II – very rapid, lasts ~ 10-20 minutes Stage III – lasts from 1-12 hours

31. Horses Presentation: Anterior Position: Dorsal side up Posture: Front legs first (slightly offset), bottom of hooves facing down, and nose between front legs It is crucial that the foal is born within 30 minutes of the beginning of stage II. Failure to do so, will most likely lead to the death of the foal. Due to the “crushing” of the umbilical cord between the foal and the dam deprives the foal of oxygen

32. Hormones of Parturition ACTH – induces parturition in response to fetal stress Fetal Cortisol – induces the release of PGF 2alpha and produces the enzymes needed to convert placental progesterone to estradiol Placental Progesterone – maintains pregnancy and will be converted to estradiol during parturition Estradiol – enhances secretions of female tract (lubrication) and myometrial contractions, as well as enhance the receptors for PGF 2alpha and oxytocin

33. Hormones of Parturition PGF 2alpha – enhances myometrial contractions, induces luteolysis and the release/secretion of relaxin Relaxin – relaxes the pelvic ligaments, allowing them to stretch for expulsion of the fetus Oxytocin – enhances myometrial contractions (produces the most forceful contractions)

34. Induction of Parturition **Not Recommended Unless the Life of the Dam or the Fetus is Threatened** Inducing parturition can enhance reproductive management by controlling the time of parturition Dangerous unless parturition is impending (within one day of occurring) Retained placenta often occurs Forcing expulsion of the fetus and the fetal membranes (i.e., the placenta) before the placenta is ready to detach from the uterus

35. Agents Used to Induce Parturition Cattle Glucocorticoids Prostaglandins Estrogens Sheep Glucocorticoids If given after day 140, response within 48hrs Swine Glucocorticoids Prostaglandins If given after day 110, response within 30hrs Horses Glucocorticoids Prostaglandins All or none response Oxytocin: Works well, but the dose and timing are extremely important. All impending signs of parturition must be present. (general rule: give ~ 1hr before parturition)

36. Senger, pg 321

37. synepitheliochorial Cotyledonary IFNtau 147 days Sheep epitheliochorial Diffuse Migration-estrogen/protein 336 days Mare epitheliochorial Diffuse Estrogen 113 days Sow epitheliochorial Cotyledonary IFNtau 283 days Cow Placental Type Placental Shape Pregnancy recognition signal Gestation Length Species

38. Lactation

39. Neuroendocrine Reflex Arc Teat stimulation (suckling) Stimulation of nerves in the spinal cord Nerve signals to the brain Release of oxytocin from posterior pituitary into blood Oxytocin received by the mammary tissue Contraction of alveoli Contraction of ducts Milk ejection 1 3 2 4 5 6 7 8 5

40. Mammary Gland Anatomy Tissue of Mammary Gland: Secretory cells Alveoli Myoepithelial cells Ducts Blood Vessels

41. Mammary Gland Anatomy

42. Initiation of Lactation: (lactogenesis) 1. Increased formation and development of duct system 2. Increased formation and development of secretory cells 3. Development of capacity for milk synthesis

43. Hormones Required for Lactation 1. Estrogen : stimulates duct growth 2. Progesterone : stimulates alveolar development 3. Growth Hormone (somatotropin): stimulates milk production 4. Thyroid Hormones: enhance development and function of mammary tissue 5. Corticoids: enhance synthesis of enzymes necessary for milk biosynthesis 6. Prolactin: initiation of lactogenesis 7. Oxytocin: stimulate myometrial contractions to release milk from alveoli to ducts 8. Insulin: maintain function and survival of secretory cells 9. Placental Lactogen: general mammary tissue growth Adrenalin: prevents milk ejection; blocks secretion of oxytocin, causes vasoconstriction in mammary gland Administration of bST to dairy cattle increases milk production 15-40%. Suggested that bST stimulates insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) which stimulates the secretory cells.