Effects of maternal undernutrition during late pregnancy on the development and function of ovine fetal liver

Abstract This study investigated the effects of maternal undernutrition during late pregnancy on the development and function of ovine fetal liver. Eighteen ewes with singleton fetuses were allocated to three groups at d 90 of pregnancy: Restricted Group 1 (RG1, 0.175 MJ ME kg BW −0.75  d −1 , n  = 6), Restricted Group 2 (RG2, 0.33 MJ ME kg BW −0.75  d −1 , n  = 6) and a Control Group (CG, ad libitum, 0.67 MJ ME kg BW −0.75  d −1 , n  = 6). Fetuses were recovered at slaughter on d 140. Fetuses in the RG1 group exhibited decreased ( P P P P