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Sex dependent effects of prenatal infection on adult cardiovascular health: are females at greater risk for cardiovascular disease?
Author(s) -
Hayward Linda,
Watkins Jaqueline,
Von Chamier Maria,
Reyes Leticia,
Brown Mary
Publication year - 2016
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.30.1_supplement.1001.3
Subject(s) - medicine , offspring , disease , physiology , in utero , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , endocrinology , pregnancy , fetus , biology , psychiatry , genetics
Prenatal infection (INF) has been linked to an increased risk for psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Emerging evidence suggests that a common cause of death among schizophrenics is cardiovascular disease. This study's aim was to investigate the link between INF and the risk for cardiovascular disease later in life. A rodent model of INF was used where Mycoplasma pulmonis or vehicle (SHAM) was given intravenously on gestational day 14. Following birth, litters were culled to 8, cross‐fostered, weaned and pair housed until adulthood. At 12 weeks of age (n=4–6/group), sex dependent differences in weight were identified: INF females weighed 17.8% more than SHAMs (P<0.05) while INF males weighed only 4.2% more than SHAMs (P>0.05). Resting mean arterial pressure (MAP) was not significantly different between groups, however in response to angiotensin II (10 μg/kg, subcutaneous) both INF males and females had a significantly greater rise in MAP (+31 and +19 mmHg, respectively; P<0.05) when compared to the sex‐matched SHAMs. In response to acute nicotine (0.37 mg/kg, subcutaneous) however only INF females demonstrated a greater increase in MAP (+ 5mmHg; P<0.02) when compared to sex‐matched SHAMs. These results suggest that offspring exposed to infection in utero are likely to have a greater risk for development of cardiovascular disease in adulthood, with females potentially having the greatest risk. Support or Funding Information Florida Department of Health‐James and Esther King 4KB11