Effects of Strategic Supplementation with Lupinus angustifolius and Avena sativa Grains on Colostrum Quality and Passive Immunological Transfer to Newborn Lambs.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two types of nutritional supplementation during late gestation on the chemical composition, energy value, and IgG concentration in the colostrum and the IgG concentration in the blood serum of lambs. Pregnant Merino Precoz ewes (n = 36) carrying single fetuses were used. Animals were kept grazing on the Mediterranean annual grassland. From day ~90 of pregnancy, animals were allocated into three groups: daily supplementation with oat grain or lupine grain and a control group without supplementation. Immediately after parturition, colostrum was collected from each ewe, and a blood sample was taken from the lambs 24 h after birth. For the evaluation of the chemical composition of the colostrum, an EKOMILK® milk analyzer was used. The energy value of the colostrum was calorimetrically evaluated. IgG concentrations were measured by simple radial immunodiffusion. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance. Colostrum content of protein and non-fat solids was higher in the group supplemented with oat grain than in the lupine grain supplemented and control groups (p ≤ 0.05). In contrast, ewes supplemented with lupine grain had the highest concentration of fat in their colostrum (p ≤ 0.05). Oat grain supplementation resulted in higher concentrations of IgG, both in sheep colostrum and in the blood serum of their lambs (p ≤ 0.05), being higher than those observed in the lupine grain and control groups. Ewes that gave birth to male lambs had significantly higher concentrations of IgG in their colostrum compared to ewes that gave birth to females (p ≤ 0.05). The colostral IgG concentration positively correlated with the serum IgG concentration of the lambs (r = 0.32; p ≤ 0.05). The results indicate that the quality of colostrum and the immunological status of the newborn lambs can be improved by supplementation with oat grain.

Neuromodulatory effect of GnRH from coeliac ganglion on luteal regression in the late pregnant rat.

The GnRH/GnRH receptor system has been found in several extrapituitary tissues, although its physiological significance has not yet been well established. Taking into account that the peripheral neural system can act as a modulator of pregnancy corpus luteum, the objective was to physiologically investigate the presence of the GnRH system in coeliac ganglion (CG) and to analyse its possible involvement in luteal regression through the superior ovarian nerve (SON) at the end of pregnancy in the rat. The integrated ex vivo CG-SON-Ovary system of rats on day 21 of pregnancy was used. Cetrorelix (CTX), a GnRH receptor antagonist, was added into the ganglionic compartment while the control systems were untreated. Ganglionic GnRH release was detected under basal conditions. Then, the CTX addition in CG increased it, which would indicate the blockade of the receptor. In turn, CTX in CG caused an increase in ovarian progesterone release. Furthermore, the luteal cells showed an increase in the expression of Hsd3b1 and a decrease in the expression of Akr1c3 (progesterone synthesis and degradation enzymes, respectively), reduced TUNEL staining according to an increase in the antioxidant defence system activity and low lipid peroxide levels. The ovarian and ganglionic nitric oxide (NO) release increased, while the luteal nitrotyrosine content, measured as nitrosative stress marker, decreased. CTX in CG decreased the ovarian noradrenaline release. The present study provides evidence that GnRH from CG may trigger neuronal signals that promote the luteal regression in late pregnancy by affecting the release of NO and noradrenaline in the ovary.

Gravidez tardia no último filho e o seu impacto em trajetórias desenvolvimentais / Late pregnancy in the last child and its impact on developmental trajectories / Embarazo tardío en el último hijo y su impacto en las trayectorias de desarrollo

Este estudo analisa a experiência da maternidade tardia (35+ anos) e as suas implicações na fase avançada de vida, nomeadamente nas trajetórias pessoais e familiares. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo com 15 díades compostas por mães tardias, atualmente idosas, e seus últimos filhos. Os resultados remetem para os riscos de saúde, distress emocional e julgamentos sociais da gestação tardia. Ao nível familiar destaca-se a presença de desafios da sobreposição de etapas distintas do ciclo de vida (cuidar de filhos pequenos e adolescentes vs. gestão da meia-idade) e, hoje, da (in)capacidade de cuidar dos netos. Os filhos evidenciam preocupações com a prestação de cuidados dos pais, tarefa que por ocorrer precocemente nas suas trajetórias desenvolvimentais, se pauta por dificuldades acrescidas.

This study focuses on the experience of late motherhood (35+ years) and its implications in the phase of advanced age, particularly in personal and family trajectories. It is a qualitative study of 15 dyads composed by older women who were late mothers and their last children. Results highlight the presence of several health risks, emotional distress and social judgments of late pregnancy. About family dynamics, challenges were mentioned by the overlapping of distinct stages of the life cycle (caring for small and teenage children vs. demands of middle age), and, currently, by the (in)capacity to take care of grandchildren. Children experienced several concerns related to their parent's caregiving, a demanding task that is perceived as happening too early in their developmental trajectories.

Este estudio analiza la experiencia de la maternidad tardía (más de 35 años) y sus implicaciones en la etapa avanzada de la vida, es decir, en las trayectorias personales y familiares. Este es un estudio cualitativo con 15 díadas compuestas por madres tardías, actualmente ancianas, y sus últimos hijos. Los resultados se refieren a los riesgos para la salud, la angustia emocional y los juicios sociales del embarazo tardío. A nivel familiar, destacamos la presencia de desafíos de la superposición de diferentes etapas del ciclo de vida (cuidado de niños pequeños y adolescentes frente a la gestión de la mediana edad) y, hoy, de la (in)capacidad de cuidar a los nietos. Los niños muestran inquietudes acerca de la provisión de cuidado parental, una tarea que, debido a que ocurre temprano en sus trayectorias de desarrollo, está marcada por mayores dificultades.

Malnutrition during late pregnancy exacerbates high-fat-diet-induced metabolic dysfunction associated with lower sympathetic nerve tonus in adult rat offspring.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the effects of a maternal protein-caloric restriction diet during late pregnancy on the metabolism of rat offspring fed a high-fat diet (HFD) during adulthood.Methods: During late pregnancy, rat dams received either a low-protein (4%; LP group) or normoprotein (23%; NP group) diet. After weaning, the offspring were fed a standard diet (Control; C). Male offspring (60 days old) from both groups were then fed either the C diet or HFD until they were 90 days old. The adult offspring and maternal metabolic parameters and autonomic nervous system (ANS) were then evaluated.Results: Dams exhibited low body weight gain and food intake during the LP diet consumption. At lactation, these dams showed high body weight gain, hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia. The maternal LP diet resulted in low body weights for the pups. There were also no differences in the metabolic parameters between the adult LP offspring that were fed the C diet and the NP group. Adults of both groups that were fed the HFD developed obesity associated with altered insulin/ glucose homeostasis and altered ANS activity; however, the magnitudes of these parameters were higher in the LP group than in the NP group.Conclusions: Maternal protein malnutrition during the last third of pregnancy malprograms the metabolism of rat offspring, resulting in increased vulnerability to HFD-induced obesity, and the correlated metabolic impairment might be associated with lower sympathetic nerve activity in adulthood.

Enriched environment improves sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment during late-pregnancy via hippocampal histone acetylation

Fetal exposure to sevoflurane induces long-term cognitive impairment. Histone acetylation regulates the transcription of genes involved in memory formation. We investigated whether sevoflurane exposure during late-pregnancy induces neurocognitive impairment in offspring, and if this is related to histone acetylation dysfunction. We determined whether the effects could be reversed by an enriched environment (EE). Pregnant rats were exposed to 2.5% sevoflurane or control for 1, 3, or 6 h on gestational day 18 (G18). Sevoflurane reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), acetyl histone H3 (Ac-H3), and Ac-H4 levels and increased histone deacetylases-2 (HDAC2) and HDAC3 levels in the hippocampus of the offspring on postnatal day 1 (P1) and P35. Long-term potentiation was inhibited, and spatial learning and memory were impaired in the 6-h sevoflurane group at P35. EE alleviated sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction and increased hippocampal BDNF, Ac-H3, and Ac-H4. Exposure to 2.5% sevoflurane for 3 h during late-pregnancy decreased hippocampal BDNF, Ac-H3, and Ac-H4 in the offspring but had no effect on cognitive function. However, when the exposure time was 6 h, impaired spatial learning and memory were linked to reduced BDNF, Ac-H3, and Ac-H4, which could be reversed by EE.

Ascensão profissional feminina, gestação tardia e conjugalidade / Ascensión profesional femenina, embarazo tardío y relación conyugal / Female professional growth, late pregnancy, and conjugal relationship

RESUMO A ascensão profissional feminina, dentre outras mudanças sociais e culturais, tem modificado os padrões das famílias na contemporaneidade. Um dos padrões refere-se ao adiamento da maternidade e como os casais vivenciam esta decisão, na relação conjugal. O objetivo desse estudo é compreender a decisão dos casais, principalmente da mulher, de adiar a parentalidade e como esta decisão impacta na relação conjugal. A pesquisa é de cunho qualitativo, transversal e descritivo. Participaram 16 indivíduos heterossexuais casados que responderam a uma entrevista semiestruturada. A análise das entrevistas foi realizada por meio da análise de conteúdo, da qual emergiram três categorias: (a) questão financeira no processo parental: 'ter filho com que dinheiro?', (b) tentativa de controle versus surpresa da gestação, e (c) gestação tardia e calmaria na conjugalidade. Evidenciou-se uma preocupação significativa quanto à seguridade financeira para gestar, assim como o desejo de controle dos casais com relação ao momento adequado da gestação e da maturidade emocional vivenciada pelos entrevistados quanto à gestação tardia. No que diz respeito à conjugalidade, os casais manifestam que a mesma trouxe união e compreensão.

RESUMEN La ascensión profesional femenina, entre otros cambios sociales y culturales, ha modificado los patrones de las familias en la contemporaneidad. Uno de dichos patrones se refiere a la prórroga de la maternidad y cómo las parejas experimentan, en la relación conyugal, esa decisión. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido comprender la decisión de las parejas, principalmente de la mujer, de posponer la etapa parental y cómo esa decisión impacta en la relación conyugal. La investigación posee cuño cualitativo, transversal y descriptivo. Participaron dieciséis individuos heterosexuales casados que respondieron a una entrevista semiestructurada. Las entrevistas se han evaluado según el análisis de su contenido, del cual surgieron tres categorías: (a) La cuestión financiera en el proceso parental: '¿es asumible económicamente tener un hijo?', (b) La tentativa de control versus la sorpresa del embarazo, y (c) El embarazo tardío y la tranquilidad en la relación conyugal. Se ha evidenciado una preocupación significativa en cuanto a la seguridad financiera para la gestación, así como el deseo de control de las parejas con respecto al momento adecuado del embarazo, y de la madurez emocional vivenciada por los entrevistados en función del embarazo tardío. En lo que se refiere a la relación conyugal, las parejas manifiestan que la misma trae unión y comprensión.

ABSTRACT Women professional growth, among other social and cultural changes, has modified the standards of families in the contemporary world. One of these standards refers to the postponement of motherhood, and how couples experience this decision in the marital relationship. This study aimed to understand the decision of couples, especially women, to delay parenting, and how this decision influences the marital relationship. The research is qualitative, cross-sectional, and descriptive. Sixteen heterosexual married individuals participated in a semi-structured interview. The analysis of the interviews was performed through content analysis, from which emerged three categories: (a) Financial issue in the parental process: 'can we afford having a child?', (b) Attempt of control versus surprise of pregnancy, and (c) Late pregnancy and calmness in the conjugal relationship. There was a significant concern with respect to the financial security to get pregnant, besides the couples' desire to control the appropriate time to pregnancy, and emotional maturity experienced by the interviewees related to late pregnancy. Regarding the conjugal relationship, couples manifested that it brought unity and understanding.

Efeito da suplementação proteica no terço final da gestação sobre a programação fetal, e o desempenho das crias submetidas a diferentes estratégias de suplementação / Effect of protein supplementation in the final third of pregnancy on fetal programming, and performance of offspring submitted to different supplementation strategies

Os objetivos deste estudo foram: 1- Avaliar o efeito da suplementação proteica, no terço final da gestação de vacas nelore, sobre a programação fetal e o desempenho de suas crias, submetidas à diferentes ritmos de crescimento até os 318 dias de vida. 2- Avaliar economicamente as diferentes estratégias de suplementação adotadas. Na fase I foram utilizadas 411 vacas da raça Nelore, no início do terço final da gestação, com idade média de 7,6 ± 2,1 anos, peso corporal médio de 429 ± 49 kg e escore de condição corporal (ECC) de 2,84 ± 0,44 (escala de 1 a 5). As vacas foram distribuídas em dois tratamentos conforme o ECC, peso corporal, idade e touro pai da cria. Os tratamentos foram: 1- grupo Vaca- Suplementada (VS) (n = 212) e 2- grupo Vaca-Controle (VC) (n = 199). Os animais do tratamento VS receberam diariamente 0,56 kg de um suplemento mineral proteico composto por 0,50 kg de farelo de soja e 0,06 kg de suplemento mineral, enquanto os animais do tratamento VC receberam somente o suplemento mineral. Na fase II, que corresponde ao período no qual a suplementação foi aplicada às crias, as vacas da primeira fase, juntamente com suas crias, foram redistribuídas, a partir do segundo mês de idade das crias em dois tratamentos. [...] A suplementação em creep-feeding proporcionou maior peso ao desmame para animais suplementados, no entanto não programou o animal para obter maior desempenho nas fases seguintes. A recria de animais em sistema de confinamento foi eficiente em proporcionar maior peso aos 318 dias e maiores GMD. Os investimentos em suplementação pré-parto e em suplementação pré-desmame não foram eficientes em proporcionar maiores margens brutas, sugerindo que o melhor desempenho produtivo não necessariamente implica em melhor desempenho econômico.

The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of protein supplementation of cows in the final third of pregnancy on fetal programming, as measured by the performance of their offspring submitted to growth rates up to 318 days old. The secondary objective, was to economically evaluate the different strategies of supplementation. In phase I we used 411 Nellore pregnant cows at the beginning of last trimester of gestation, with a mean age of 7.6 ± 2.1 years, mean body weight of 429 ± 49 kg and body condition score (BCS) of 2.84 ± 0.44 (range from1 to 5). Cows were assigned to two treatments according to BCS, body weight, age and father of calves . The treatments consisted of Supplemented-Cow group (SCO) (n = 212) and Control-Cow group (CCO) (n = 199). The cows SCO received daily 0.56 kg of protein supplement composed of 0.50 kg of soybean meal and 0.06 kg of minerals. The cows CCO received only mineral supplement. In phase II, which correspond to the period in which supplementation was offered to calves. Half of cows of each group from the first phase, with their offspring (2 months old), were redistributed in two treatments. 1- creep-feeding, offered ad libitum, Supplemented-Calf (SCA) (n = 201). 2 - Only mineral supplementation, Control-Calf (CCA) (n = 188). [...] The protein supplementation of cows in the last trimester of gestation had no effect on weight and weight gain of offspring. Thus, creep-feeding provided greater weaning weight, but the calve were not programmed for greater performance in subsequent phases. Calves in feedlot was effective in providing greater weight to 318 days and higher ADG. Investments in pre-partum supplementation and supplementation pre-weaning were not effective in providing higher gross margins, suggesting that better performance does not necessarily imply better economic performance.