Some aspects of perinatal maturation and adaptation.
Abstract: Physiological challenges facing the perinatal individual are huge. This is partly because of the marked and abrupt change from the intrauterine to the extrauterine environment, but also because the physiological responses to that change depend upon systems whose maturation is affected markedly by birth. Perinatal maturation appears, therefore, both to precede and accompany the physiological adaptations required for neonatal survival. This review does not provide a comprehensive coverage of perinatal physiology but directs attention towards evaluating constraints on foetal and neonatal thermogenesis, especially those imposed by post-natal availability of metabolic fuels in body reserves deposited before birth and acquired in colostrum and milk after birth. The relative importance of the supply of carbohydrate from body reserves and colostrum is examined. Carbohydrate is the major rate-limiting substrate with respect to heat production. It is shown that in the normal birth environments of several species, including the horse, colostral supply of lactose is not adequate to meet the entire carbohydrate needs of the neonate. It must, therefore, draw on its body glycogen reserves to sustain the required rates of heat production during the first day after birth. Gastrointestinal maturation and growth play a major part in the initial and continued provision of substrates for general metabolism and growth. Pre-natal and post-natal development of the stomach and intestines in a number of species are considered, including their disproportionately large growth compared with the body as a whole during the first 1-3 days after birth. Possible contributions to gastro intestinal growth and body growth of milk-borne growth factors such as epidermal growth factors and the insulin-like growth factors are considered. The role, as a possible significant stimulus to gastrointestinal growth and maturation immediately after birth, of the high levels of these growth factors in colostrum is evaluated.
Publication Date: 1993-04-01 PubMed ID: 9079131DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb04803.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research focuses on studying physical maturation and adaptation processes in newborn mammals. It assesses the constraints on thermogenesis (heat production), highlighting the importance of carbohydrate supply vs. reserves, and the role of colostrum in the process. The study also delves into the development of the gastrointestinal system pre and post birth, and the impact of growth factors present in milk, especially colostrum, on this process.
Thermogenesis and Carbohydrate Utilisation
- The transition from intrauterine to external environment post-birth presents significant physiological challenges. One important aspect of this adaptation is thermogenesis or heat production.
- The study elucidates the relation between the body’s fuel reserves and its ability to generate heat. The role of carbohydrates, notably glycogen (a form of stored carbohydrate), is emphasised.
- Carbohydrates are identified as a major limiting factor in the newborn’s thermogenic process. It becomes critical that the newborn can access and utilise its stored glycogen reserves in light of a limited external supply from colostrum (a type of milk produced at the end of pregnancy).
- Observations from multiple species, including horses, indicate that colostrum does not provide adequate levels of lactose (a carbohydrate) to meet the entire carbohydrate needs of newborns, especially within the first 24 hours post-birth. Hence the reliance on internal glycogen reserves.
Growth and Maturation of the Gastrointestinal System
- Besides the thermogenic function, glycogen reserves also contribute to general metabolism and growth, including that of the gastrointestinal system.
- Both prenatal and postnatal development of the animal’s stomach and intestines are scrutinised. The research highlights a disproportionately rapid growth of these organs in contrast to the rest of the body during the first three days post-birth.
- The study explores the possible contribution of milk-derived growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) to this accelerated gastrointestinal growth. The high levels of these factors present in colostrum are considered critical stimulators of gastrointestinal growth and maturation immediately after birth.
Cite This Article
APA
Mellor DJ.
(1993).
Some aspects of perinatal maturation and adaptation.
Equine Vet J Suppl(14), 17-22.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb04803.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Physiology and Anatomy, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
MeSH Terms
- Adaptation, Physiological / physiology
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn / growth & development
- Animals, Newborn / physiology
- Body Temperature Regulation / physiology
- Colostrum / chemistry
- Digestive System / embryology
- Digestive System / growth & development
- Growth Substances / physiology
- Horses / embryology
- Horses / growth & development
- Horses / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Mellor DJ. Preparing for Life After Birth: Introducing the Concepts of Intrauterine and Extrauterine Sensory Entrainment in Mammalian Young.. Animals (Basel) 2019 Oct 18;9(10).
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