J Physiol Editor in Chief
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


J Physiol Volume 563, Number 1, 275-284, February 15, 2005 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2004.078543
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
563/1/275    most recent
jphysiol.2004.078543v1
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Zambrano, E
Right arrow Articles by Nathanielsz, P. W
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Zambrano, E
Right arrow Articles by Nathanielsz, P. W

A maternal low protein diet during pregnancy and lactation in the rat impairs male reproductive development

E Zambrano1, G. L Rodríguez-González1, C Guzmán1, R García-Becerra1, L Boeck1, L Díaz1, M Menjivar2, F Larrea1 and P. W Nathanielsz3

1 Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 14000, México, DF México
2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CP 04510, México, DF México
3 Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research, University of Texas Health Sciences Center San Antonio, TX 78229, USA

Nutrient restriction during pregnancy and lactation impairs growth and development. Recent studies demonstrate long-term programming of function of specific organ systems resulting from suboptimal environments during fetal life and development up to weaning. We determined effects of maternal protein restriction (50% control protein intake) during fetal development and/or lactation in rats on the reproductive system of male progeny. Rats were fed either a control 20% casein diet (C) or a restricted diet (R) of 10% casein during pregnancy. After delivery mothers received either C or R diet until weaning to provide four groups: CC, RR, CR and RC. We report findings in male offspring only. Maternal protein restriction increased maternal serum corticosterone, oestradiol and testosterone (T) concentrations at 19 days gestation. Pup birth weight was unchanged but ano-genital distance was increased by maternal protein restriction (P < 0.05). Testicular descent was delayed 4.4 days in RR, 2.1 days in CR and 2.2 days in RC and was not related to body weight. Body weight and testis weight were reduced in RR and CR groups at all ages with the exception of CR testis weight at 270 days postnatal age (PN). At 70 days PN luteinizing hormone and T concentrations were reduced in RR, CR and RC. mRNA for P450 side chain cleavage (P450scc) was reduced in RR and CR at 21 days PN but was unchanged at 70 days PN. Fertility rate was reduced at 270 days PN in RC and sperm count in RR and RC. We conclude that maternal protein delays sexual maturation in male rats and that some effects only emerge in later life.

(Received 4 November 2004; accepted after revision 14 December 2004; first published online 20 December 2004)
Corresponding author E. Zambrano: Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 14000, México, DF México. Email: zamgon{at}laneta.apc.org




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
HypertensionHome page
N. B. Ojeda, D. Grigore, and B. T. Alexander
Developmental Programming of Hypertension: Insight From Animal Models of Nutritional Manipulation
Hypertension, July 1, 2008; 52(1): 44 - 50.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J AndrolHome page
M. D. Anway, M. A. Memon, M. Uzumcu, and M. K. Skinner
Transgenerational Effect of the Endocrine Disruptor Vinclozolin on Male Spermatogenesis
J Androl, November 1, 2006; 27(6): 868 - 879.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Nutr.Home page
G. Cherala, B. H. Shapiro, and A. P. D'mello
Two Low Protein Diets Differentially Affect Food Consumption and Reproductive Performance in Pregnant and Lactating Rats and Long-Term Growth in Their Offspring
J. Nutr., November 1, 2006; 136(11): 2827 - 2833.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
C. Guzman, R. Cabrera, M. Cardenas, F. Larrea, P. W. Nathanielsz, and E. Zambrano
Protein restriction during fetal and neonatal development in the rat alters reproductive function and accelerates reproductive ageing in female progeny
J. Physiol., April 1, 2006; 572(1): 97 - 108.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
E. Zambrano, C. J. Bautista, M. Deas, P. M. Martinez-Samayoa, M. Gonzalez-Zamorano, H. Ledesma, J. Morales, F. Larrea, and P. W. Nathanielsz
A low maternal protein diet during pregnancy and lactation has sex- and window of exposure-specific effects on offspring growth and food intake, glucose metabolism and serum leptin in the rat
J. Physiol., February 15, 2006; 571(1): 221 - 230.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
E Zambrano, P. M Martinez-Samayoa, C. J Bautista, M Deas, L Guillen, G. L Rodriguez-Gonzalez, C Guzman, F Larrea, and P. W Nathanielsz
Sex differences in transgenerational alterations of growth and metabolism in progeny (F2) of female offspring (F1) of rats fed a low protein diet during pregnancy and lactation
J. Physiol., July 1, 2005; 566(1): 225 - 236.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]




HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2005 The Physiological Society.