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REVIEW
Contents Vol 48(7)

In utero effects on livestock muscle development and body composition

John M. Brameld A B and Zoe C. T. R. Daniel A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Nottingham, School of Biosciences, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, United Kingdom.

B Corresponding author. Email: john.brameld@nottingham.ac.uk

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(7) 921-929 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA08017
Submitted: 7 January 2008  Accepted: 1 April 2008   Published: 20 June 2008

Abstract

This review will focus on the evidence for in utero effects on development of skeletal muscle in farm and laboratory animals, particularly sheep and pigs. We will describe genetic and environmental factors that have been shown to alter the numbers of muscle fibres formed and outline our working hypothesis for the mechanism involved and the critical window during pregnancy when these effects are seen. We will then discuss the long-term consequences in terms of body composition. Although this review concentrates on skeletal muscle development, the mechanism we suggest might be equally applicable to other tissues in the body (e.g. the brain, kidneys or sex organs) and, therefore, impact on their physiological functions.


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