Maternal metabolic adaptations are necessary for normal offspring growth and brain development

Abstract Poor maternal nutrition (restricted- and over-feeding) during gestation may alter leptin and ghrelin, key hormones in energy homeostasis and appetite control. They may also have a regulatory role in maternal metabolic adaptations critical during gestation to ensure optimal offspring growth and development. We hypothesized that restricted- and over-feeding during gestation would alter plasma concentrations of leptin and ghrelin in ewes and their offspring. Pregnant Western White-faced ewes were individually fed 60% (RES; n = 13), 100% (CON; n = 11), or 140% (OVER; n = 13) of NRC requirements for TDN starting on d 30±0.02 of gestation. Blood samples were collected in the morning from fasted pregnant ewes weekly from d 20 of gestation until parturition and from offspring (n = 31) within 24 hours after birth. Leptin and ghrelin concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS with main effects of treatment, day of gestation and their interaction. Leptin (P < 0.002) and ghrelin (P < 0.015) concentrations were altered in pregnant ewes between treatments within a day of gestation. At d 100 (P = 0.008) and d 128 (P = 0.04), RES ewes (5.392.58 ng/mL; 6.392.50 ng/mL) had decreased leptin concentrations compared with OVER ewes (14.972.48 ng/mL; 13.612.47 ng/mL), with CON ewes intermediate. RES ewes (0.260.04 ng/mL) had increased ghrelin concentrations compared with CON ewes at d 142 (0.150.04 ng/mL; P = 0.042), with OVER ewes intermediate. Leptin (P < 0.002) and ghrelin (P < 0.015) concentrations were altered between days of gestation within a dietary treatment. Leptin concentration increased across gestation in OVER ewes. In RES ewes, leptin concentration decreased and ghrelin concentration increased over gestation. Leptin (P = 0.5) and ghrelin (P = 0.5) concentrations in lambs were not different at birth. Alterations in leptin and ghrelin in ewes during gestation may disrupt critical metabolic adaptations that may contribute to suboptimal offspring growth and development.

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Ovarian Dysfunction in Fetally Irradiated Beagles

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100080717 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 35 ◽

pp. 658-659

Author(s):

T. M. Seed ◽

M. H. Sanderson ◽

D. L. Gutzeit ◽

T. E. Fritz ◽

D. V. Tolle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gamma Rays ◽

Low Dose ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Ovarian Dysfunction ◽

Dose Rates ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Microscopic Evaluation ◽

Ovarian Pathology ◽

Normal Offspring

The developing mammalian fetus is thought to be highly sensitive to ionizing radiation. However, dose, dose-rate relationships are not well established, especially the long term effects of protracted, low-dose exposure. A previous report (1) has indicated that bred beagle bitches exposed to daily doses of 5 to 35 R 60Co gamma rays throughout gestation can produce viable, seemingly normal offspring. Puppies irradiated in utero are distinguishable from controls only by their smaller size, dental abnormalities, and, in adulthood, by their inability to bear young.We report here our preliminary microscopic evaluation of ovarian pathology in young pups continuously irradiated throughout gestation at daily (22 h/day) dose rates of either 0.4, 1.0, 2.5, or 5.0 R/day of gamma rays from an attenuated 60Co source. Pups from non-irradiated bitches served as controls. Experimental animals were evaluated clinically and hematologically (control + 5.0 R/day pups) at regular intervals.

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Preliminary Report of a Comparative Study of Seminiferous Tubular Epithelium from Rats Flown on Cosmos 1887 and SL3

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100103449 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 46 ◽

pp. 276-277

Author(s):

Walter J. Sapp ◽

D.E. Philpott ◽

C.S. Williams ◽

K. Kato ◽

J. Stevenson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Space Flight ◽

Physiological Response ◽

Preliminary Report ◽

Complete Recovery ◽

Environmental Constraints ◽

Tubular Epithelium ◽

Testicular Weight ◽

Testicular Morphology ◽

Normal Offspring ◽

Rats And Mice

Space flight, with its unique environmental constraints such as immobilization, decreased and increased pressures, and radiation, is known to affect testicular morphology and spermatogenesis. Selye, summarized the manifestations of physiological response to nonspecific stress and he pointed out that atrophy of the gonads always occurred. Reports of data collected from two dogs flown in space for 22 days (Cosmos 110) indicate that there was an increase of 30 to 70% atypical spermatozoa when compared to ground based controls. Seventy-five days after the flight the abnormalities had decreased to the high normal value of 30% and mating of these dogs after this period produced normal offspring, suggesting complete recovery. Effects of immobilization and increased gravity were investigated by spinning rats and mice at 2x g for 8-9 weeks. A decrease in testicular weight was noted in spun animals when compared to controls. Immobilization has been show to cause arrest of spermatogenesis in Macaca meminstrins.

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The Role of Zinc in Thyroid Hormones Metabolism

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000262 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 89 (1-2) ◽

pp. 80-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Juliana Soares Severo ◽

Jennifer Beatriz Silva Morais ◽

Taynáh Emannuelle Coelho de Freitas ◽

Ana Letícia Pereira Andrade ◽

Mayara Monte Feitosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Hormones ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽

Zinc Transporters ◽

Serum Concentrations ◽

Metabolic Adaptations ◽

Serum T3 ◽

Regulatory Effects ◽

Shed Light

Abstract. Thyroid hormones play an important role in body homeostasis by facilitating metabolism of lipids and glucose, regulating metabolic adaptations, responding to changes in energy intake, and controlling thermogenesis. Proper metabolism and action of these hormones requires the participation of various nutrients. Among them is zinc, whose interaction with thyroid hormones is complex. It is known to regulate both the synthesis and mechanism of action of these hormones. In the present review, we aim to shed light on the regulatory effects of zinc on thyroid hormones. Scientific evidence shows that zinc plays a key role in the metabolism of thyroid hormones, specifically by regulating deiodinases enzymes activity, thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) synthesis, as well as by modulating the structures of essential transcription factors involved in the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Serum concentrations of zinc also appear to influence the levels of serum T3, T4 and TSH. In addition, studies have shown that Zinc transporters (ZnTs) are present in the hypothalamus, pituitary and thyroid, but their functions remain unknown. Therefore, it is important to further investigate the roles of zinc in regulation of thyroid hormones metabolism, and their importance in the treatment of several diseases associated with thyroid gland dysfunction.

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