The use of ruminant models in biomedical perinatal research

Animal models are of critical importance in biomedical research. Although rodents and lagomorphs are the most commonly used species, larger species are required, especially when surgical approaches or new medical devices have to be evaluated. In particular, in the field of perinatal medicine, they are critical for the evaluation of new pharmacologic treatments and the development of new invasive procedures in fetuses. In some areas, such as developmental genetics, reproductive biotechnologies and metabolic programming, the contribution of ruminants is essential. The current report focuses on some of the most outstanding examples of great biomedical advances carried out with ruminant models in the field of perinatal research. Experiments recently carried in our research unit using ruminants are also briefly described.