Effect of maternal dexamethasone and alpha-ketoglutarate administration on skeletal development during the last three weeks of prenatal life in pigs

Background. The effect of dexamethasone (Dex) on postnatal bone formation processes is known to decrease the synthesis of collagen and bone matrix, but the effect of alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is to induce positive effects on growth and skeletal development during postnatal life. However, the effects of Dex and AKG treatment on the prenatal processes of skeletal development have not been investigated so far. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Dex and AKG administered separately or simultaneously to sows during the last three weeks of pregnancy on the skeletal development in fetuses. Methods. Immediately after birth blood samples were collected from non-suckling piglets for alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin determinations, and the humeri were isolated. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) of humeri and the geometric and mechanical properties were evaluated. Results. Dex and AKG administered separately to pregnant sows during the last 24 days of prenatal life decreased BMD, BMC, and geometric and mechanical parameters of humeri in the newborns. Simultaneous administration of Dex and AKG significantly increased the analyzed properties of humeri. Conclusion. The bone mineral density and mechanical and geometric properties of humeri indicate an inverse effect of maternal separate or simultaneous administration of AKG and Dex to sows on bone development during the last 24 days of prenatal life.