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Cardio‐renal and metabolic adaptations during pregnancy in female rats born small: implications for maternal health and second generation fetal growth
Author(s) -
Gallo Linda A.,
Tran Melanie,
Moritz Karen M.,
Mazzuca Marc Q.,
Parry Laura J.,
Westcott Kerryn T.,
Jefferies Andrew J.,
CullenMcEwen Luise A.,
Wlodek Mary E.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.219147
Subject(s) - offspring , pregnancy , medicine , endocrinology , placental insufficiency , fetus , gestation , intrauterine growth restriction , blood pressure , physiology , biology , placenta , genetics
Non‐technical summary Low weight at birth, or being born small for gestational age, is associated with increased risk of a number of adult diseases, including cardiovascular and kidney disease and diabetes. Generally, low birth weight males have a greater risk of developing such diseases but females do present with subtle changes in organ structure and function that might render them susceptible to lifestyle challenges. We show, for the first time, that low birth weight females have largely normal cardiovascular and kidney adaptations to pregnancy but they do develop altered glucose control. We have shown that their own fetuses are growth restricted suggesting that low birth weight and risk of disease development can be passed on to subsequent generations. These results warrant close monitoring of pregnant women who were born small and shape future studies to focus on therapeutic strategies to minimize the transmission of low birth weight and adult disease risk.