Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2023, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (11): 4458-4467.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2023.11.003

• REVIEW • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research Progress on Physiological Metabolism and Microbial Changes of Ruminants During Gestation and Lactation and Their Effects on Offspring Development

DU Haidong, NA Renhua*   

  1. College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
  • Received:2023-04-23 Online:2023-11-23 Published:2023-11-26

Abstract: Metabolic and microbial homeostasis are critical for the maintenance of host health. The disruption of physiological metabolism and microbial homeostasis may be an important pathogenic factor in various metabolic disorders. The pregnancy is characterized by a series of physiologic, metabolic and microbial changes. Therefore, breeding cycles are the most sensitive periods in maternal physiology and metabolism. During this period, there are significant changes in maternal hormone levels, metabolic status, and microbial composition to fulfil the fetus’s survival in utero and the nutritional needs of subsequent lactation. In recent years, studies of physiological metabolism and microbial changes in the maternal breeding cycles have made some progress. It has been suggested that physiological metabolism and microbial changes are critical for maintaining successful pregnancy and subsequent lactation. In addition, the offspring’s growth and development, microbial colonization and immune system maturation are also susceptible to maternal physiological metabolism and microbial changes. This review summarizes the changes in ruminant physiological metabolism and microorganisms during gestation and lactation and their effects on offspring growth and development, microbial colonization, and the immune system. The aim is to provide new insights into the basic mechanisms of ruminant physiological adaptation and progeny development during gestation and lactation.

Key words: maternal physiological metabolism, hormones, microorganisms, progeny development, gestation period, lactation period, ruminant

CLC Number: