Premium
Zinc deficiency induced disruption in the fetal and maternal rat insulin‐like growth factor axis
Author(s) -
Hanna Lynn A,
Clegg Michael S,
EllisHutchings Robert G,
Niles Brad J,
Keen Carl L
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a719-c
Subject(s) - fetus , medicine , endocrinology , amniotic fluid , gestation , insulin like growth factor , radioimmunoassay , biology , growth factor , chemistry , pregnancy , receptor , genetics
The insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) axis is a key regulator of embryonic growth and development. This system is exquisitely sensitive to nutrient deficiencies including Zn deficiency (ZnD). We investigated the effects of ZnD on the maternal and fetal IGF axis at gestation day (GD) 19. Pregnant rats consumed ZnD (0.5 ppm Zn) or Control (25 ppm Zn) diet, or were restricted (Paired) to ZnD intake levels of control diet. Maternal liver and serum, and fetal liver, plasma and amniotic fluid were collected. Maternal serum IGF‐1 concentrations (measured by radioimmunoassay) were inversely related to hepatic mRNA levels (determined by real‐time RT‐PCR). This outcome was strongest in the Paired and ZnD compared to Controls, suggesting a feed back mechanism in response to ZnD and food restriction. Fetal liver IGF‐1 mRNA was significantly elevated in the ZnD fetuses, an effect not related to reduced maternal food intake but well correlated with the severe disruption in development observed only in the ZnD group. Maternal serum, fetal plasma and amniotic fluid were labeled with 125 I‐IGF‐1, and native FPLC was used to asses IGFBP‐1, ‐2, ‐3 binding. IGFBP1/2 was significantly elevated in the Paired but not ZnD dams. Similar patterns were observed in fetal plasma with no detectable differences in amniotic fluid. In summary, the differences in fetal IGF axis between ZnD and Paired groups may contribute to the formers teratogenic outcome.