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Maternal protein restriction that does not have an influence on the birthweight of the offspring induces morphological changes in kidneys reminiscent of phenotypes exhibited by intrauterine growth retardation rats
Author(s) -
Yuasa Ko,
Kondo Tomohiro,
Nagai Hiroaki,
Mino Masaki,
Takeshita Ai,
Okada Toshiya
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
congenital anomalies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1741-4520
pISSN - 0914-3505
DOI - 10.1111/cga.12143
Subject(s) - offspring , medicine , endocrinology , intrauterine growth restriction , birth weight , low protein diet , biology , pregnancy , gestation , genetics
Severe restriction of maternal protein intake to 6–8% protein diet results in intrauterine growth retardation ( IUGR ), low birthweight and high risk of metabolic syndrome in the adult life of the offspring. However, little information is available on the effects of maternal protein restriction on offspring under the conditions that does not have an influence on their birthweight of the offspring,. In the present study, pregnant rats were kept on a diet consisting of either 9% (low‐protein, Lp rats) or 18% (normal‐protein, N p rats) protein by weight/volume/etc. After birth, both Lp and N p rats were kept on a diet containing 18% protein. Neonatal body weight was significantly lower in Lp rats compared to N p rats from 4 days to 5weeks after birth. While glomerular number per unit volume (1 mm 3 ) of the kidney (Nv) was comparable between Lp and N p rats 4 weeks after birth, the Nv was significantly decreased in Lp rats at 20 weeks after birth. Four and 20 weeks after birth, glomerular sclerosis index, interstitial fibrosis score, and ratio of ED1‐positive cell ratio were all significantly higher in Lp compared to N p rats. Transforming growth factor‐β1‐positive cells were observed in the distal tubules in the kidney of 4‐ and 20‐week‐old Lp rats kidneys, but not in those of age‐matched N p rats. Altogether, these findings revealed that maternal protein restriction that does not have an influence on the birthweight of the offspring, induces similar changes as those seen in the kidneys of IUGR neonates.