It is possible to increase skeletal muscle fibre number in utero.
The administration of porcine somatotropin (pST) to pregnant sows during early gestation (day 10 to 24) induced the formation of significantly more muscle fibres in the semitendinosus muscle of the fetuses, representing a higher growth capacity of skeletal muscle. The pST-treatment during late pregnancy (day 80 to 94) accelerated the development of the fetus resulting in higher body weights and advanced stage of maturity at birth.
Rehfeldt
C
C
Research Institute for the Biology of Farm Animals, Drummerstorf, Germany.
Fiedler
I
I
Weikard
R
R
Kanitz
E
E
Ender
K
K
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009132:Muscles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D013552:Swine
D009124:Muscle Proteins; D012313:RNA; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone; D004247:DNA