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The maturity in fetal pigs using a multi-fluid metabolomic approach
Gaëlle Lefort1,2, Rémi Servien3,4, Hélène Quesnel5
1INRAE, UR875 Mathématiques et Informatique Appliquées Toulouse, 31326, Castanet-Tolosan, France. gaelle.lefort@inrae.fr.
Scientific Reports
|November 17, 2020
Summary
Piglet maturity, crucial for survival, is influenced by intrauterine development. This study used metabolomics to identify key amino acid and carbohydrate metabolic pathways critical for fetal development and piglet maturity.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Biology
- Metabolomics
- Animal Science
Background:
- High perinatal mortality in piglets (20%) impacts economy and society.
- Piglet maturity at birth is a key factor influencing survival.
- Maturity results from complex intrauterine development during late gestation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate fetal piglet metabolomes at two late gestation stages.
- To identify biomarkers associated with piglet maturity and survival.
- To understand the metabolic basis of intrauterine development in pigs.
Main Methods:
- Comparative metabolomics analysis of fetal plasma, urine, and amniotic fluid.
- Study design included two gestation stages (3 weeks before term, near term).
- Involved two pig breeds with differing neonatal survival rates.
Main Results:
- Amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism are critical for piglet maturity.
- Identified specific metabolites (proline, myo-inositol) linked to delayed growth.
- Metabolomic profiles differed between gestation stages and breeds.
Conclusions:
- Metabolomics provides insights into piglet maturity and intrauterine development.
- Identified metabolic pathways offer potential targets for improving piglet survival.
- This research enhances the characterization of piglet maturity at birth.
