Puberty onset in the female offspring of rats submitted to protein or energy restricted diet during lactation

AbstractThe differential susceptibility hypothesis proposes that individuals who are more susceptible to the negative effects of adverse rearing conditions may also benefit more from enriched environments. Evidence derived from human experiments suggests the lower efficacy dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) 7-repeat as a main factor in exhibiting these for better and for worse characteristics. However, human studies lack the genetic and environmental control offered by animal experiments, complicating assessment of causal relations. To study differential susceptibility in an animal model, we exposed Drd4+/- mice and control litter mates to a limited nesting/bedding (LN), standard nesting (SN) or communal nesting (CN) rearing environment from postnatal day (P) 2-14. Puberty onset was examined from P24-P36 and adult females were assessed on maternal care towards their own offspring. In both males and females, LN reared mice showed a delay in puberty onset that was partly mediated by a reduction in body weight at weaning, irrespective of Drd4 genotype. During adulthood, LN reared females exhibited characteristics of poor maternal care, whereas dams reared in CN environments showed lower rates of unpredictability towards their own offspring. Differential susceptibility was observed only for licking/grooming levels of female offspring towards their litter; LN reared Drd4+/- mice exhibited the lowest and CN reared Drd4+/- mice the highest levels of licking/grooming. These results indicate that both genetic and early-environmental factors play an important role in shaping maternal care of the offspring for better and for worse.

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Effect of perinatal administration of flavonoid-rich extract from Hibiscus sabdariffa to feed-restricted rats, on offspring postnatal growth and reproductive development

Current Issues in Pharmacy and Medical Sciences ◽

10.2478/cipms-2021-0011 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Odochi O. Chukwu ◽

Chinedum U. Emelike ◽

Nwaeze G. Konyefom ◽

Sylvester N. Ibekailo ◽

Sharon O. Azubuike-Osu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Development ◽

Postnatal Growth ◽

Diet Group ◽

Female Rats ◽

Delayed Puberty ◽

Control Group ◽

Hibiscus Sabdariffa ◽

Restricted Diet ◽

Group I ◽

Puberty Onset

Abstract Developmental programming is a process where stimulus or insult acting during critical periods of growth and development might permanently alter tissue anatomy and physiology so as to produce adverse effects in adult life. Most forms of exposure include maternal nutrient deprivation, nutrient excess, exogenous glucocorticoid excess and endogenous glucocorticoid due to maternal stress. Hibiscus sabdariffa (Hs) are highly rich in phenolic compounds with marked physiological activities, the sweetened aqueous extract of Hs, commonly known as “Zobo’ in Nigeria, is consumed by humans including pregnant and lactating mothers. This study aimed at determining effects of perinatal administration of flavonoid-rich extract from Hs to feed-restricted rats, on offspring postnatal growth and reproductive development. Twenty-five pregnant female rats were used. Rats were randomly placed into five groups of five rats per group (one animal per cage): Group I (Normal control); Group II (feed-restricted control); Group III (5 mg/kg extract + 70% feed-restricted diet); Group IV (10 mg/kg extract + 70% feed-restricted diet); Group V (20 mg/kg extract + 70% feed-restricted diet). Dams were allowed to nurse only 8 pups. Pups were weaned to ad libitum feed and water and were observed daily for puberty onset. Weights, lengths and body mass index (BMI) of pups were measured at delivery, weaning and puberty onset. At onset of puberty in each of the rats, blood samples were collected for determination of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol and testosterone. Reproductive organs were excised and weighed for histology. The extract caused significant increase in postnatal weight, length and BMI of offspring at birth, weaning and puberty onset and significantly delayed puberty onset in both sexes. There was significant increase in absolute and relative weights of testes and ovaries with alterations in histology. This study has shown that maternal consumption of flavonoid-rich extract of Hs during pregnancy and lactation may accelerate offspring postnatal growth with delay in onset of puberty.

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Impact of Maternal Chronodisruption on Female Offspring Puberty. A Role of Kisspeptin and Irisin

10.21203/rs.3.rs-152366/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ana Alonso ◽

Beatriz Medina ◽

Celestino González ◽

Elena Díaz

Keyword(s):

Light Exposure ◽

Continuous Light ◽

Female Offspring ◽

Female Rat ◽

Vaginal Opening ◽

Reproductive Axis ◽

Independent Mechanism ◽

Neuroendocrine Mechanisms ◽

Puberty Onset

Abstract The neuroendocrine mechanisms regulating the onset of puberty are unclear. Kisspeptin is a potent gatekeeper of pubertal onset, but it has also been proposed that the time of puberty is dictated by kisspeptin independent mechanism. In this way, the myokine irisin could be involved in the puberty onset process serving as a metabolic trigger. Puberty is influenced by environmental factors like photoperiod. Maternal photoperiod influences postnatal development; thus alterations in maternal melatonin rhythm may affect the offspring’s reproductive axis development, especially at puberty. There is no research regarding the influence of maternal photoperiod on kisspeptin and irisin profile in offspring close to puberty. We investigated the influence of maternal photoperiod on serum kisspeptin and irisin levels during sexual development in female rat offspring.The study was carried out on female offspring Wistar rats at 25 and 30 days of age and in the vaginal opening day. Pregnant mother rats were included in three groups; control (12L/12 D), other exposed to continuous light during pregnancy (24L/0D), and the third exposed to continuous light as well as receiving daily melatonin during pregnancy. Serum kisspeptin and irisin were determined and vaginal opening day were registered. The results demonstrated that both continuous light exposure and melatonin treatment during intrauterine life affects kisspeptin and irisin secretion in the offspring during sexual maturation; these point out to an important role of the cytokine irisin in the onset of puberty.

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Chemically Contaminated Eel Fed to Pregnant and Lactating Mouse Dams Causes Hyperactivity in Their Offspring

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000288 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 86 (1-2) ◽

pp. 36-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Imen Dridi ◽

Nidhal Soualeh ◽

Torsten Bohn ◽

Rachid Soulimani ◽

Jaouad Bouayed

Keyword(s):

Open Field ◽

Early Life ◽

Home Cage ◽

Anguilla Anguilla ◽

Acetylcholinesterase Activity ◽

Female Offspring ◽

Significant Inhibition ◽

Standard Diet ◽

Early Life Exposure ◽

Cage Test

Abstract.This study examined whether perinatal exposure to polluted eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) induces changes in the locomotor activity of offspring mice across lifespan (post-natal days (PNDs) 47 – 329), using the open field and the home cage activity tests. Dams were exposed during gestation and lactation, through diets enriched in eels naturally contaminated with pollutants including PCBs. Analysis of the eel muscle focused on the six non-dioxin-like (NDL) indicator PCBs (Σ6 NDL-PCBs: 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180). Four groups of dams (n = 10 per group) received either a standard diet without eels or eels (0.8 mg/kg/day) containing 85, 216, or 400 ng/kg/day of ϵ6 NDL-PCBs. The open field test showed that early-life exposure to polluted eels increased locomotion in female offspring of exposed dams but not in males, compared to controls. This hyperlocomotion appeared later in life, at PNDs 195 and 329 (up to 32 % increase, p < 0.05). In addition, overactivity was observed in the home cage test at PND 305: exposed offspring females showed a faster overall locomotion speed (3.6 – 4.2 cm/s) than controls (2.9 cm/s, p <0.05); again, males remained unaffected. Covered distances in the home cage test were only elevated significantly in offspring females exposed to highest PCB concentrations (3411 ± 590 cm vs. 1377 ± 114 cm, p < 0.001). These results suggest that early-life exposure to polluted eels containing dietary contaminants including PCBs caused late, persistent and gender-dependent neurobehavioral hyperactive effects in offspring mice. Furthermore, female hyperactivity was associated with a significant inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex.

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Effects of Maternal Flaxseed Supplementation on Female Offspring of Diabetic Rats in Serum Concentration of Glucose, Insulin, and Thyroid Hormones

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000259 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 89 (1-2) ◽

pp. 45-54

Author(s):

Akemi Suzuki ◽

André Manoel Correia-Santos ◽

Gabriela Câmara Vicente ◽

Luiz Guillermo Coca Velarde ◽

Gilson Teles Boaventura

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Hormones ◽

High Fat Diet ◽

Female Offspring ◽

Flaxseed Oil ◽

Diabetic Rats ◽

High Fat ◽

Glucose Levels ◽

Blood Glucose Levels ◽

Flaxseed Flour ◽

Maternal Consumption

Abstract. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of maternal consumption of flaxseed flour and oil on serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, and thyroid hormones of the adult female offspring of diabetic rats. Methods: Wistar rats were induced to diabetes by a high-fat diet (60%) and streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). Rats were mated and once pregnancy was confirmed, were divided into the following groups: Control Group (CG): casein-based diet; High-fat Group (HG): high-fat diet (49%); High-fat Flaxseed Group (HFG): high-fat diet supplemented with 25% flaxseed flour; High-fat Flaxseed Oil group (HOG): high-fat diet, where soya oil was replaced with flaxseed oil. After weaning, female pups (n = 6) from each group were separated, received a commercial rat diet and were sacrificed after 180 days. Serum insulin concentrations were determined by ELISA, the levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined by chemiluminescence. Results: There was a significant reduction in body weight at weaning in HG (−31%), HFG (−33%) and HOG (44%) compared to CG (p = 0.002), which became similar by the end of 180 days. Blood glucose levels were reduced in HFG (−10%, p = 0.044) when compared to CG, and there was no significant difference between groups in relation to insulin, T3, T4, and TSH after 180 days. Conclusions: Maternal severe hyperglycemia during pregnancy and lactation resulted in a microsomal offspring. Maternal consumption of flaxseed reduces blood glucose levels in adult offspring without significant effects on insulin levels and thyroid hormones.

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