Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement Publication
Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: March 6, 2012
Publication Date: July 1, 2012 Citation: Vallet, J.L. 2012.
Limitations in uterine and conceptus physiology that lead to
fetal losses [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 90
(Supplement 3):6 (Abstract #15). Conceptus losses in livestock
occur throughout gestation. It is clear that the uterus and
embryo/placenta/fetus play interconnected roles in these losses,
the details of which depend on the period of gestation and the
species. Studies in sheep and pigs have indicated that the
uterine glands are essential for full fertility, based on
experiments where gland development was reduced through the use
of exogenous hormones. In sheep and cattle, normally the uterus
is well able to support more than a single fetus, although these
species differ in the consequences of multiple births. When two
conceptuses are present, the placentas of cattle often
anastomose, putting one fetus at risk if t