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Size at birth and adult fat mass in twin sheep are determined in early gestation.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22183720     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Size at birth is related to adult health outcomes. Twins are born smaller than singletons; this has been assumed to be secondary to limited nutrient supply in late gestation. We hypothesised that growth trajectory in twins, and the adult consequences of being conceived a twin, are determined in early gestation. Twin pregnancies in sheep were randomised to reduction of one twin on day 42 of a 148 d pregnancy by intra-thoracic KCl (Reductions, n=46) or a sham procedure (Twins, n=22). Singleton-bearing ewes also underwent a sham procedure (n=27). Ewes lambed spontaneously. Linear measures of size at birth were similar in Twins and Reductions, and significantly less than in Singletons. Birthweight was lower in Twins and Reductions than in Singletons, and less in Twins than in Reductions (means (SEM): Singletons, liveborn n=23: 6.59 (0.17); Twins, liveborn n=36: 5.23 (0.16); Reductions, liveborn n=27: 5.76 (0.15) kg; all comparisons P<0.05). Reductions grew most rapidly between birth and weaning (Singletons, 20.0 (0.4); Twins, 20.0 (0.3); Reductions, 21.0 (0.3) g•kg-1•d-1, P<0.05) and were of similar weight as Singletons by weaning; Twins remained smaller by weaning but grew most rapidly thereafter (Singletons, 1.6 (0.1); Twins, 2.1 (0.1); Reductions, 1.6 (0.1) g•kg-1•d-1, P<0.01), so that all groups had similar weight at 2 years. However, Twins and Reductions had greater %fat mass than Singletons at 2 years (Singletons, 11.1 (1.1); Twins, 14.8 (1.2); Reductions, 15.5 (1.1) %, P<0.05). Thus, in twins, fetal growth trajectory, linear size at birth, and adult fat mass are largely determined in early gestation. If this is also true in humans, there are important implications for interventions aimed at optimising fetal growth and pregnancy outcome.
Authors:
Serina N Hancock; Mark H Oliver; Clare McLean; Anne L Jaquiery; Frank H Bloomfield
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-12-19
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of physiology     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1469-7793     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-12-20     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0266262     Medline TA:  J Physiol     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
University of Auckland;
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