Some aspects of placental function in chronically heat-stressed ewes

Abstract

Pregnant ewes were exposed continuously to high ambient temperature (38-40 degrees C for 9 h, 30-32 degrees C for 15 h daily, relative humidity 40-50%) between about 45 days and 120 days of gestation and studied at 132-137 days. Results were compared with those of ewes of similar gestational age which were not exposed to heat at any stage of pregnancy. Heat exposure did not depress appetite but caused variable reductions in placental weight. Fetal weight was reduced to a lesser extent and correlated with placental weight. Uterine and umbilical blood flows and placental glucose transfer capacity were all significantly reduced and highly correlated with placental weight. These effects were accompanied by an enlargement of the PO2 difference between uterine and umbilical venous blood, a decrease in the PO2 and oxygen saturation of fetal arterial blood, and fetal hypoglycemia. Uteroplacental rates of oxygen and glucose utilization and the concentration of fructose in fetal blood were each significantly correlated with placental weight. It is suggested that reduced placental growth is a primary effect of chronic maternal heat stress and that the associated retardation of fetal growth represents a fetal adaptation to a decreased placental ability to supply oxygen and nutrients.