ROLE OF MILK-BORNE FACTORS IN NEONATAL REPRODUCTIVE TRACT DEVELOPMENT

A major goal of these studies is to improve reproductive efficiency in domestic animals by evaluating the role of maternal signals delivered in first milk early in neonatal life on adult female reproductive tract function. This research will constitute the first systematic evaluation of normal and potentially aberrant expression patterns for several gene systems not described before in uterine and cervical tissues. In addition, these studies will provide new information about possible effects of milk-borne factors on male reproductive tract development. Thus, the data generated here are intended to increase our understanding of the developmental and endocrine factors affecting reproductive tract development and function in males and females. Results will provide new insight into mechanisms regulating uterine and cervical growth and remodeling and thereby enhance embryo survival and ultimately reproductive efficiency in swine.