Effect of Ewe Nutritional Restriction During Gestation on the Number of Sertoli Cells in the Offspring: A Meta‐Analysis

Maternal nutrition during gestation critically influences foetal reproductive programming. To clarify inconsistent evidence, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the effect of maternal nutritional restriction on the number of Sertoli cells in ovine offspring. A systematic review in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Science Direct identified three studies (four comparisons; n = 52). Standardised mean differences (Hedges' g) were calculated using a random-effects model. The pooled effect was significant (g = -0.95, 95% CI: -1.49 to -0.41; p < 0.001), with no heterogeneity (I² = 0%) or publication bias (Egger's test p = 0.616). In conclusion, maternal undernutrition reduces Sertoli cell numbers by approximately one standard deviation.