Sheep as a Model

Pregnancy hormones help regulate fetal development and prepare the mother's body to support a growing fetus. Sheep models help researchers understand how changes in hormone levels affect pregnancy outcomes in humans.

Research areas include:

• Progesterone
• Placental lactogen
• Cortisol

Healthy blood flow between mother, placenta, and fetus is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients. Researchers study how blood vessels develop and function throughout pregnancy.

Research areas include:

• Angiogenic gene expression
• Vascular development
• Uterine blood flow
• Umbilical blood flow
• Umbilical nutrient uptake
• Umbilical artery pulsatility index (vascular resistance)

Researchers evaluate the fetal environment to understand how nutrients and hormones influence growth, metabolism, and long-term health.

Research areas include:

• Oxygen concentration
• Glucose concentration
• Insulin levels
• IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1)
• Lactate concentration

Physical measurements provide insight into fetal development and the health of the pregnancy. Comparing these measurements helps identify adaptations and potential complications.

Research areas include:

• Placental weight
• Fetal weight
• Patterns of fetal growth
• Gestation length