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<p>Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), caused by maternal undernutrition, impairs fetal growth and increases the risk for postnatal metabolic dysfunction. L-arginine can mitigate these effects; however, its use in sheep is limited by ruminal microbial degradation. Interestingly, L-citrulline, the precursor for arginine synthesis, bypasses ruminal catabolism and may be a practical alternative. This study evaluated if maternal L-citrulline supplementation to nutrient restricted ewes from gestational days (GD) 28 to 140 (term = 147) enhances fetal growth in lambs. Gestating ewes were fed 50% of National Research Council (NRC) nutritional recommendations to induce IUGR and received either L-citrulline (0.40% of diet) or an isonitrogenous alanine control (0.61% of diet). Birth weight and pre-suckling blood samples were collected, and lambs remained with dams until postnatal day 60 (PND60) (citrulline: <i>n</i> = 13; alanine: <i>n</i> = 10). Lambs from L-citrulline treated ewes were heavier at birth (<i>P</i> = 0.05) and PND60 (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05), with greater (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) absolute weights of the pancreas, brain, liver, and small intestine. Pancreatic mass per gram of body weight was greater (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) in citrulline lambs. The relative proportion of endocrine and exocrine pancreas were not different between treatments. Circulating insulin concentrations were greater (<i>P</i> = 0.05) at birth and circulating glucose concentrations were increased (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) in the citrulline lambs on PND60. These results suggest that maternal L-citrulline supplementation is a viable alternative to arginine for improving fetal growth during maternal malnutrition, with benefits persisting through weaning.</p>

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Maternal dietary citrulline supplementation increases fetal growth and programs pancreatic development in the lambs

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月16日

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  • Alissa B. Herring,
  • Kyle S. Herron,
  • London G. Lemcke,
  • Gregory A. Johnson,
  • M. Carey Satterfield

摘要

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), caused by maternal undernutrition, impairs fetal growth and increases the risk for postnatal metabolic dysfunction. L-arginine can mitigate these effects; however, its use in sheep is limited by ruminal microbial degradation. Interestingly, L-citrulline, the precursor for arginine synthesis, bypasses ruminal catabolism and may be a practical alternative. This study evaluated if maternal L-citrulline supplementation to nutrient restricted ewes from gestational days (GD) 28 to 140 (term = 147) enhances fetal growth in lambs. Gestating ewes were fed 50% of National Research Council (NRC) nutritional recommendations to induce IUGR and received either L-citrulline (0.40% of diet) or an isonitrogenous alanine control (0.61% of diet). Birth weight and pre-suckling blood samples were collected, and lambs remained with dams until postnatal day 60 (PND60) (citrulline: n = 13; alanine: n = 10). Lambs from L-citrulline treated ewes were heavier at birth (P = 0.05) and PND60 (P < 0.05), with greater (P < 0.05) absolute weights of the pancreas, brain, liver, and small intestine. Pancreatic mass per gram of body weight was greater (P < 0.05) in citrulline lambs. The relative proportion of endocrine and exocrine pancreas were not different between treatments. Circulating insulin concentrations were greater (P = 0.05) at birth and circulating glucose concentrations were increased (P < 0.05) in the citrulline lambs on PND60. These results suggest that maternal L-citrulline supplementation is a viable alternative to arginine for improving fetal growth during maternal malnutrition, with benefits persisting through weaning.