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Effect of zinc (Zn) deficiency on nutrient delivery to the rat fetus
Author(s) -
Hanna Lynn A,
Clegg Michael S,
Gedestad Michael D,
Keen Carl L
Publication year - 2012
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.26.1_supplement.1013.30
Subject(s) - fetus , zinc deficiency (plant disorder) , zinc , endocrinology , placenta , medicine , nutrient , pregnancy , chemistry , amino acid , biology , biochemistry , genetics , organic chemistry
Maternal Zn deficiency can result in fetal growth retardation and reductions in fetal insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1). Fetal growth is driven by IGF‐1 but is also influenced by the maternal nutrient supply. Accordingly, one aim of the current study was to examine the delivery of nutrients across the placenta under conditions of Zn adequacy and deficiency. Beginning at conception rat dams consumed a Zn adequate (25 ppm Zn) or Zn deficient (0.3 ppm Zn) diet, while a third group of rats were restricted in the amount of adequate diet they received to a level equivalent to the diet consumed by the Zn deficient dams. Dams were anesthetized at GD 19.5 with isoflurane and injected with 10 μCi/kg of [ 14 C] methyl‐aminoisobutyric acid, an amino acid analog. After 7 min, dams were euthanized and maternal serum, fetuses, and placentas were collected. Fetuses were homogenized in PBS. Aliquots of homogenate and maternal serum were precipitated with trifluoroacetic acid, and the supernates were measured for DPMs. Maternal DPM per ml serum and DPM per g fetus was similar among the groups. These data suggest that amino acid delivery was unaffected by Zn deficiency. Our previous finding indicated that fetal liver IGF‐ 1 levels are attenuated during maternal Zn deficiency. When coupled with the current findings, the data suggest that the fetal regulation of its own growth is directly compromised under conditions of Zn deficiency. This work was supported by Center for Health and Nutrition Research.