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Foetal Growth in the Reindeer

Den fetale tilluäxten hos ren

Abstract

In connection with reindeer, slaughter 348 foetuses were collected at different foetal developmental stages and studied together with 20 full-term newborn calves with respect to weight, crown-rump length, metacarpal bone length and appearance of ossification foci. On the basis of these measurements polynomial growth curves were constructed. Weight gain was most rapid during the last trimester of gestation, but total and metacarpal bone length gain showed only minor acceleration towards the end of pregnancy. Ossification was apparent at an age of about 6 weeks. Undernutrition during late winter was observed to retard the foetal growth.

Sammanfattning

I samband med renslaktning tillvaratogs 348 foster från olika perioder och undersöktes samtidigt med 20 fullgångna nyfödda kalvar. Man matte vikten, längden av bålen från stuss till krona samt före-komsten av ossifikationsfoci. På basen av dessa mätningar beräknades polynomväxtkurvor. Viktökningen var snabbast under den sista tredje-delen av dräktighetstiden. Däremot visade den totala och metakarpala tillväxten av längden av benstommens ben endast mindre ökning mot slutet av dräktighetstiden. Ossifikation künde konstateras vid en åider av 6 veckor. Undernäring i en sen period av vintern konstaterades verka retarderande på fostrets tillväxt.

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Roine, K., Nieminen, M. & Timisjärui, J. Foetal Growth in the Reindeer. Acta Vet Scand 23, 107–117 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03546827

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