Increasing the understanding of nutrient transport capacity of the ovine placentome

Simple Summary: The ovine placenta facilitates transport of oxygen and nutrients to the growing fetus. Placental morphology and placental function are affected by environmental factors, and the changes are not well understood. This study aimed to identify the effect of tissue type (caruncle vs. cotyledon), placentome morphological subtype, and maternal parenteral arginine supplementation in mid–late pregnancy on the placental nutrient transport capacity at 140 days of gestation, using a gene expression approach. Results highlighted that placentome morphology and tissue type are associated with differential expression of specific amino acid (AA) transporter genes, suggesting a potential adaptive response to increase the transport capacity of the placenta. Maternal arginine supplementation influenced expression of genes involved in AA transport, placental efficiency, and angiogenesis, which may affect the placental transport capacity. The results contribute to an increased understanding of placental function and provide new insights into the effects influencing the placental nutrient transport capacity to support fetal growth in sheep.

Abstract: Placental nutrient transport capacity influences fetal growth and development; however, it is affected by environmental factors, which are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to understand the impact of the ovine placentome morphological subtype, tissue type, and maternal parenteral supplementation of arginine mono-hydrochloride (Arg) on nutrient transport capacity using a gene expression approach. Placentomal tissues of types A, B, and C morphologic placentome subtypes were derived from 20 twin-bearing ewes, which were infused thrice daily with Arg (n = 9) or saline (Ctrl, n = 11) from 100 to 140 days of gestation. Samples were collected at day 140 of gestation. Expression of 31 genes involved in placental nutrient transport and function was investigated. Differential expression of specific amino acid transporter genes was found in the subtypes, suggesting a potential adaptive response to increase the transport capacity. Placentomal tissues differed in gene expression, highlighting differential transport capacity. Supplementation with Arg was associated with differential expressions of genes involved in amino acid transport and angiogenesis, suggesting a greater nutrient transport capacity. Collectively, these results indicate that the morphological subtype, tissue type, and maternal Arg supplementation can influence placental gene expression, which may be an adaptive response to alter the transport capacity to support fetal growth in sheep.