Gj. Mccrabb et al., HEAT-STRESS DURING MID-PREGNANCY IN SHEEP AND THE CONSEQUENCES FOR PLACENTAL AND FETAL GROWTH, Journal of Agricultural Science, 120, 1993, pp. 265-271
An experiment was conducted at Toorak Research Station, Julia Creek, i
n semi-arid northern Australia(141' E,21-degrees-S)during 1990 to dete
rmine the relationship between placental and fetal weight in sheep aft
er placental growth had been restricted by chronic heat stress during
mid-pregnancy. Placental and fetal weight were measured in single bear
ing ewes housed either in a thermoneutral environment throughout pregn
ancy, or in a heated room between the 30th and 80th days of pregnancy
followed by a thermoneutral environment until the 140th day of pregnan
cy. The placental weight of the heat-treated ewes was lower than that
of the control ewes at the 80th (P < 0.05) and 140th (P < 0.01) days o
f pregnancy. Fetal weight and dimensions did not differ significantly
between control and heat-treated ewes at the 80th day of pregnancy, al
though fetal weight (P < 0.01) and fetal dimensions (P < 0.05) for the
previously heat-treated ewes were lower than those for the control ew
es at the 140th day of pregnancy. Placental and fetal weight at the 14
0th day of pregnancy were correlated (P < 0.05) with the rectal temper
ature of ewes measured at 08.00 and 16.30 h during the period of heat-
treatment, but not with the change in rectal temperature between 08.00
and 16.30 h. It was concluded that restricted placental growth in hea
t-treated ewes retarded fetal growth during late pregnancy even in the
absence of heat treatment, and it is suggested that selection of ewes
which can maintain normal rectal temperatures during periods of heat
stress would produce lambs of normal birthweight in a hot climate.