Changes of embryonic wastage during pregnancy in rats fed low and high energy diets
Saito, M.; Takahashi, S.
Journal of Nutrition 103(12): 1652-1657
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3166 PMID: 4752967 Document Number: 68064
Embryonic wastage rates were estimated at different stages of pregnancy in Wistar rats on a diet low or high in digestible energy, 2.3 or 4.8 kcal/g. Feeding was started on the day sperm was found in vaginal washings. Ebryonic wastage rates in those on the low-energy diet were 3.1, 8.8 and 9.6% on days 7, 14 and 19 of pregnancy; corresponding values for those on the high-energy diet were 19.4, 21.6 and 22.8%. Most of the wastage in rats on the high-energy diet occurred in the first third of pregnancy; the major part of the loss occurred at the cleavage process of the egg. Foetal and placental weights on day 19 of pregnancy were higher in those on the high-energy diet. The mechanism of degeneration of fertilized eggs in rats on the high-energy diet was not understood.