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Symposium-Related Papers |
1 Liggins Institute, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
2 Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8
Periconceptional undernutrition alters fetal growth, metabolism and endocrinology in late gestation. The underlying mechanisms remain uncertain, but fetal exposure to excess maternal glucocorticoids has been hypothesized. We investigated the effects of periconceptional undernutrition on maternal hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis function and placental 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11ßHSD2) activity. Ewes received maintenance feed (N, n= 20) or decreased feed from –60 to +30 days from mating to achieve 15% weight loss after an initial 2-day fast (UN, n= 21). Baseline plasma samples and arginine vasopressin (AVP)–corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) challenges were performed on days –61, –57, –29, –1, +29, 33, and 49 from mating (day 0). Maternal adrenal and placental tissue was collected at 50 days. Baseline plasma levels of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol decreased in the UN group (P < 0.0001). ACTH response to AVP–CRH was greater in UN ewes during undernutrition (P= 0.03) returning to normal levels after refeeding. Cortisol response to AVP–CRH was greater in UN ewes after the initial 2-day fast, but thereafter decreased and was lower in UN ewes from mating until the end of the experiment (P= 0.007). ACTH receptor, StAR and p450c17 mRNA levels were down-regulated in adrenal tissue from UN ewes. Placental 11ßHSD2 activity was lower in UN than N ewes at 50 days (P= 0.014). Moderate periconceptional undernutrition results in decreased maternal plasma cortisol concentrations during undernutrition and after refeeding, and adrenal resistance to ACTH for at least 20 days after refeeding. Fetal exposure to excess maternal cortisol is unlikely during the period of undernutrition, but could occur later in gestation if maternal plasma cortisol levels return to normal while placental 11ßHSD2 activity remains low.
(Received 19 January 2005;
accepted after revision 9 February 2006;
first published online 9 February 2006)
Corresponding author J. E. Harding: Liggins Institute, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. Email: j.harding{at}auckland.ac.nz
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