Effects of maternal nutrition on development of gastrointestinal tract of bovine fetus at different stages of gestation

This study was developed aiming to evaluate the effects of maternal feed-restriction on development of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of bovine fetus at different gestational stages. Feed-restricted cows were fed 1.2 times the maintenance level while the control group was fed ad libitum. Pregnant cows were slaughtered at 136, 189, 239, and 269 days of gestation and gastrointestinal tracts of the fetuses were evaluated. No effects of maternal nutrition on body weight (P=0.17) and body length (P=0.13) of the fetuses were observed. No major effects of feed restriction on GIT mass of the fetuses were observed (P=0.51). However, the weight of small intestine per unit of body weight was 11.24% greater (P=0.04) in fetuses from restricted dams. Additionally, the length of small intestine and its villi were 12.93% and 16.44% respectively greater (P<.001) in fetuses from restricted dams compared to those from non-restricted dams. These data indicates that maternal feed-restriction does not affect the development of most of fetal gastrointestinal parts besides small intestine which in turn increases its surface area as a response of maternal feed restriction.