Abstract
Abstract
Placental metabolism and histochemistry were studied during three periods of gestation in pigs fed either ad lib or restricted. Placental tissue fatty acid synthesis and esterification were depressed in those pigs which were restricted. Palmitate oxidation to carbon dioxide was not influenced by dietary manipulation. Between the gestational age of 45 and 112 days, placental villi increased in length and maternal and chorionic epithelial cells decreased in height. A comparison of maternal and fetal placental cells revealed differences in lipid content and fatty acid synthesis. It is proposed that both maternal and fetal placentas are capable of responding to maternal nutritional state and may be important in altering metabolites available to the fetus.
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