Halloran Katherine M, Stenhouse Claire
Reprod Fertil. 2025 Jul 8;6(3). doi: 10.1530/RAF-25-0056. Print 2025 Jul 1.
Development and function of the uterus and placenta are essential for a successful pregnancy, particularly in livestock species where reproductive efficiency is economically important. Several metabolic pathways play critical roles in uterine and placental function during pregnancy by supporting processes important for cellular function and proliferation, as well as conceptus growth and development. Among these, one-carbon metabolism, the pentose cycle, serine biosynthesis (serinogenesis), and polyamine metabolism have emerged as key metabolic pathways contributing to uterine and placental function that enhance conceptus growth. These pathways are not only regulated by maternal plane of nutrition but also by stage of the estrous cycle or day of gestation, implying that circulating steroid hormones may influence metabolism through these pathways. This review first discusses the development of the female reproductive system and the placenta, focusing on sheep, cattle, and pigs. We then highlight what is currently known regarding key metabolic pathways in the uterus and placenta of these species and where knowledge gaps still exist. Improving our understanding of the mechanisms that regulate the metabolism of key nutrients provides a basis for nutritional or hormonal interventions that can potentially improve pregnancy success and conceptus development in livestock species.
Key nutrients are essential for a successful pregnancy. These nutrients are processed through several important pathways that support the growth and function of the uterus and placenta. Understanding the impacts of these pathways may help improve pregnancy outcomes in farm animals. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the impact of maternal nutrition and hormonal status on key pathways for the development and function of the uterus and placenta.
子宫和胎盘的发育及功能对于成功妊娠至关重要，在繁殖效率具有重要经济意义的家畜物种中尤其如此。在妊娠期间，几种代谢途径通过支持对细胞功能和增殖以及胚胎生长发育至关重要的过程，在子宫和胎盘功能中发挥关键作用。其中，一碳代谢、戊糖循环、丝氨酸生物合成（丝氨酸生成）和多胺代谢已成为有助于子宫和胎盘功能并促进胚胎生长的关键代谢途径。这些途径不仅受母体营养水平的调节，还受发情周期阶段或妊娠天数的影响，这意味着循环类固醇激素可能通过这些途径影响代谢。本综述首先讨论雌性生殖系统和胎盘的发育，重点是绵羊、牛和猪。然后，我们强调目前对这些物种子宫和胎盘关键代谢途径的了解以及仍然存在的知识空白。增进我们对调节关键营养素代谢机制的理解，为营养或激素干预提供了基础，这些干预措施有可能提高家畜物种的妊娠成功率和胚胎发育。
关键营养素对于成功妊娠至关重要。这些营养素通过几种重要途径进行加工，以支持子宫和胎盘的生长及功能。了解这些途径的影响可能有助于改善农场动物的妊娠结局。本综述总结了我们目前对母体营养和激素状态对子宫和胎盘发育及功能关键途径影响的认识。
