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Morrison JL, Botting KJ, Darby JRT, David AL, Dyson RM, Gatford KL, Gray C, Herrera EA, Hirst JJ, Kim B, Kind KL, Krause BJ, Matthews SG, Palliser HK, Regnault TRH, Richardson BS, Sasaki A, Thompson LP, Berry MJ. Guinea pig models for translation of the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis into the clinic. J Physiol 2018; 596:5535-5569. [PMID: 29633280 PMCID: PMC6265540 DOI: 10.1113/jp274948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 30 years ago Professor David Barker first proposed the theory that events in early life could explain an individual's risk of non-communicable disease in later life: the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis. During the 1990s the validity of the DOHaD hypothesis was extensively tested in a number of human populations and the mechanisms underpinning it characterised in a range of experimental animal models. Over the past decade, researchers have sought to use this mechanistic understanding of DOHaD to develop therapeutic interventions during pregnancy and early life to improve adult health. A variety of animal models have been used to develop and evaluate interventions, each with strengths and limitations. It is becoming apparent that effective translational research requires that the animal paradigm selected mirrors the tempo of human fetal growth and development as closely as possible so that the effect of a perinatal insult and/or therapeutic intervention can be fully assessed. The guinea pig is one such animal model that over the past two decades has demonstrated itself to be a very useful platform for these important reproductive studies. This review highlights similarities in the in utero development between humans and guinea pigs, the strengths and limitations of the guinea pig as an experimental model of DOHaD and the guinea pig's potential to enhance clinical therapeutic innovation to improve human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna L. Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health ResearchUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Kimberley J. Botting
- Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Jack R. T. Darby
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health ResearchUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Anna L. David
- Research Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Institute for Women's HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Rebecca M. Dyson
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health and Centre for Translational PhysiologyUniversity of OtagoWellingtonNew Zealand
| | - Kathryn L. Gatford
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical SchoolUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Clint Gray
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health and Centre for Translational PhysiologyUniversity of OtagoWellingtonNew Zealand
| | - Emilio A. Herrera
- Pathophysiology Program, Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBM), Faculty of MedicineUniversity of ChileSantiagoChile
| | - Jonathan J. Hirst
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences and PharmacyUniversity of NewcastleCallaghanNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Bona Kim
- Department of PhysiologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Karen L. Kind
- School of Animal and Veterinary SciencesUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Bernardo J. Krause
- Division of Paediatrics, Faculty of MedicinePontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiagoChile
| | | | - Hannah K. Palliser
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences and PharmacyUniversity of NewcastleCallaghanNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Timothy R. H. Regnault
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Physiology and PharmacologyWestern University, and Children's Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research InstituteLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Bryan S. Richardson
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Physiology and PharmacologyWestern University, and Children's Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research InstituteLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Aya Sasaki
- Department of PhysiologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Loren P. Thompson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive SciencesUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Mary J. Berry
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health and Centre for Translational PhysiologyUniversity of OtagoWellingtonNew Zealand
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Camm EJ, Botting KJ, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Near to One's Heart: The Intimate Relationship Between the Placenta and Fetal Heart. Front Physiol 2018; 9:629. [PMID: 29997513 PMCID: PMC6029139 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of the fetal heart is exquisitely controlled by a multitude of factors, ranging from humoral to mechanical forces. The gatekeeper regulating many of these factors is the placenta, an external fetal organ. As such, resistance within the placental vascular bed has a direct influence on the fetal circulation and therefore, the developing heart. In addition, the placenta serves as the interface between the mother and fetus, controlling substrate exchange and release of hormones into both circulations. The intricate relationship between the placenta and fetal heart is appreciated in instances of clinical placental pathology. Abnormal umbilical cord insertion is associated with congenital heart defects. Likewise, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, where monochorionic twins have unequal sharing of their placenta due to inter-twin vascular anastomoses, can result in cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in both fetuses. Moreover, epidemiological studies have suggested a link between placental phenotypic traits and increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adult life. To date, the mechanistic basis of the relationships between the placenta, fetal heart development and later risk of cardiac dysfunction have not been fully elucidated. However, studies using environmental exposures and gene manipulations in experimental animals are providing insights into the pathways involved. Likewise, surgical instrumentation of the maternal and fetal circulations in large animal species has enabled the manipulation of specific humoral and mechanical factors to investigate their roles in fetal cardiac development. This review will focus on such studies and what is known to date about the link between the placenta and heart development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Camm
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience and Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kimberley J Botting
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience and Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience and Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Spontaneous intrauterine growth restriction due to increased litter size in the guinea pig programmes postnatal growth, appetite and adult body composition. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2016; 7:548-562. [PMID: 27335275 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174416000295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and subsequent neonatal catch-up growth are implicated in the programming of increased appetite, adiposity and cardiometabolic diseases. Guinea pigs provide an alternate small animal model to rodents to investigate mechanisms underlying prenatal programming, being relatively precocial at birth, with smaller litter sizes and undergoing neonatal catch-up growth after IUGR. The current study, therefore, investigated postnatal consequences of spontaneous IUGR due to varying litter size in this species. Size at birth, neonatal, juvenile (post-weaning, 30-60 days) and adolescent (60-90 days) growth, juvenile and adolescent food intake, and body composition of young adults (120 days) were measured in 158 male and female guinea pigs from litter sizes of one to five pups. Compared with singleton pups, birth weight of pups from litters of five was reduced by 38%. Other birth size measures were reduced to lesser degrees with head dimensions being relatively conserved. Pups from larger litters had faster fractional neonatal growth and faster absolute and fractional juvenile growth rates (P<0.005 for all). Relationships of post-weaning growth, feed intakes and adult body composition with size at birth and neonatal growth rate were sex specific, with neonatal growth rates strongly and positively correlated with adiposity in males only. In conclusion, spontaneous IUGR due to large litter sizes in the guinea pig causes many of the programmed sequelae of IUGR reported in other species, including human. This may therefore be a useful model to investigate the mechanisms underpinning perinatal programming of hyperphagia, obesity and longer-term metabolic consequences.
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Elias AA, Ghaly A, Matushewski B, Regnault TRH, Richardson BS. Maternal Nutrient Restriction in Guinea Pigs as an Animal Model for Inducing Fetal Growth Restriction. Reprod Sci 2015; 23:219-27. [DOI: 10.1177/1933719115602773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A. Elias
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Physiology and Pharmacology, and Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Andrew Ghaly
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Physiology and Pharmacology, and Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Brad Matushewski
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Physiology and Pharmacology, and Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Timothy R. H. Regnault
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Physiology and Pharmacology, and Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Bryan S. Richardson
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Physiology and Pharmacology, and Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
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Standen P, Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Taylor R, Heinemann G, Zhang JV, Highet AR, Pringle KG, Owens JA, Kumarasamy V, Lumbers ER, Roberts CT. Maternal insulin-like growth factor 1 and 2 differentially affect the renin-angiotensin system during pregnancy in the guinea pig. Growth Horm IGF Res 2015; 25:141-147. [PMID: 25748140 DOI: 10.1016/j.ghir.2015.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Revised: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are known to interact with the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). We previously demonstrated that administration of IGF1 to guinea pigs in early to mid pregnancy promotes placental function and fetal growth in mid to late gestation. Early administration of IGF2 had sustained, but not acute, effects on these parameters and also on placental structural differentiation. Here, we aimed to determine whether the IGFs interact with the placental RAS in early to mid gestation to modulate placental development and increase fetal growth and survival, and if IGF2 binding the IGF2R is implicated in the sustained effects of IGF2 treatment. DESIGN At day 20 of pregnancy, guinea pigs were infused with 1m g/kg/day of IGF1, IGF2, (Leu27)IGF2 or vehicle for 18days and sacrificed on either day 62 (late pregnancy) or during the infusion period on day 35 (early-mid pregnancy). Placental structure at day 35 was analyzed using morphometric technique and expression of RAS genes in the placenta and placental and plasma renin activity were measured at both time points. RESULTS Compared with vehicle at day 35 of gestation, IGF1 infusion reduced the total midsagittal cross-sectional area of the placenta (-17%, p = 0.02) and the labyrinth area (-22%, p = 0.014) but did not alter the labyrinth volume nor labyrinth:interlobium ratios. IGF2 treatment did not affect placental structure. IGF1 did not alter placental mRNA for any of the RAS genes quantified at day 35 (AGTR1, ACE, AGT, TGFB1) but increased TGFB1 expression by more than 16-fold (p = 0.005) at day 62. IGF2 increased placental expression of AGTR1 (+88%, p = 0.03) and decreased AGT (-73%, p = 0.01) compared with the vehicle-treated group at day 35, and both IGF2 and (Leu27)IGF2 increased expression of TGFB1 at day 62 by 9-fold (p = 0.016) and 6-fold (p = 0.019) respectively. Both IGFs increased the ratio of active:total placental renin protein (+22% p = 0.026 p = 0.038) compared to vehicle compared to vehicle at day 35 but not 62. At day 62, IGF2-treated mothers showed a marked increase in total plasma renin (+495%) and active renin (+359%) compared to vehicle but decreased the ratio of active to total renin by 41% (p = 0.042). (Leu27)IGF2-treated animals had higher levels of placental active renin (+73%, p = 0.001) and total renin (+71%, p = 0.001) compared with the vehicle control. CONCLUSIONS The data obtained in the current study suggest the potential for alternate roles for the induction of the RAS after IGF treatment. IGF1 and 2 treatments increase the activation of prorenin to renin in the placenta, possibly due to increased protease activity. In addition, IGF2 treatment in early pregnancy may enhance the maternal adaptation to pregnancy through stimulation of renin in the kidney. The sustained effects on placental differentiation and function after IGF2 treatment suggest therapeutic potential for exogenous administration of IGFs in improving pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prue Standen
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Robyn Taylor
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Gary Heinemann
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jamie V Zhang
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Amanda R Highet
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kirsty G Pringle
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Julie A Owens
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Vasumathy Kumarasamy
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Eugenie R Lumbers
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Claire T Roberts
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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Zhang S, Regnault TRH, Barker PL, Botting KJ, McMillen IC, McMillan CM, Roberts CT, Morrison JL. Placental adaptations in growth restriction. Nutrients 2015; 7:360-89. [PMID: 25580812 PMCID: PMC4303845 DOI: 10.3390/nu7010360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is the primary interface between the fetus and mother and plays an important role in maintaining fetal development and growth by facilitating the transfer of substrates and participating in modulating the maternal immune response to prevent immunological rejection of the conceptus. The major substrates required for fetal growth include oxygen, glucose, amino acids and fatty acids, and their transport processes depend on morphological characteristics of the placenta, such as placental size, morphology, blood flow and vascularity. Other factors including insulin-like growth factors, apoptosis, autophagy and glucocorticoid exposure also affect placental growth and substrate transport capacity. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is often a consequence of insufficiency, and is associated with a high incidence of perinatal morbidity and mortality, as well as increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in later life. Several different experimental methods have been used to induce placental insufficiency and IUGR in animal models and a range of factors that regulate placental growth and substrate transport capacity have been demonstrated. While no model system completely recapitulates human IUGR, these animal models allow us to carefully dissect cellular and molecular mechanisms to improve our understanding and facilitate development of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Zhang
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
| | - Timothy R H Regnault
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
| | - Paige L Barker
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
| | - Kimberley J Botting
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
| | - Isabella C McMillen
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
| | - Christine M McMillan
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
| | - Claire T Roberts
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
| | - Janna L Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
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Vaughan OR, Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Coan PM, Fowden AL. Environmental regulation of placental phenotype: implications for fetal growth. Reprod Fertil Dev 2012; 24:80-96. [PMID: 22394720 DOI: 10.1071/rd11909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental conditions during pregnancy determine birthweight, neonatal viability and adult phenotype in human and other animals. In part, these effects may be mediated by the placenta, the principal source of nutrients for fetal development. However, little is known about the environmental regulation of placental phenotype. Generally, placental weight is reduced during suboptimal conditions like maternal malnutrition or hypoxaemia but compensatory adaptations can occur in placental nutrient transport capacity to help maintain fetal growth. In vivo studies show that transplacental glucose and amino acid transfer adapt to the prevailing conditions induced by manipulating maternal calorie intake, dietary composition and hormone exposure. These adaptations are due to changes in placental morphology, metabolism and/or abundance of specific nutrient transporters. This review examines environmental programming of placental phenotype with particular emphasis on placental nutrient transport capacity and its implications for fetal growth, mainly in rodents. It also considers the systemic, cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in signalling environmental cues to the placenta. Ultimately, the ability of the placenta to balance the competing interests of mother and fetus in resource allocation may determine not only the success of pregnancy in producing viable neonates but also the long-term health of the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- O R Vaughan
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
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Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) affects many aspects of cellular function through its ability to activate several different receptors and, consequently, numerous intracellular signalling molecules. Thus, IGF-II is a key regulator of normal foetal development and growth. However, abnormalities in IGF-II function are associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer. Here, we review the cellular mechanisms by which IGF-II's physiological and pathophysiological actions are exerted by discussing the involvement of the type 1 and type 2 IGF receptors (IGF1R and IGF2R), the insulin receptor and the downstream MAP kinase, PI-3 kinase and G-protein-coupled signalling pathways in mediating IGF-II stimulated cellular proliferation, survival, differentiation and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynda K Harris
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, UK
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Leach L. Placental vascular dysfunction in diabetic pregnancies: intimations of fetal cardiovascular disease? Microcirculation 2011; 18:263-9. [PMID: 21418381 DOI: 10.1111/j.1549-8719.2011.00091.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In the human placenta, the angioarchitecture of fetal vessels lying in maternal blood is useful for nutrient uptake, but it makes the synthesis, maturation and functioning of placental vessels vulnerable to any alterations in the fetal and maternal environment. This review discusses how the maternal diabetic milieu, and the resultant fetal hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, may act together to produce an altered placental vascular phenotype, which includes increased angiogenesis, altered junctional maturity, increased vascular endothelial-like growth factor (VEGF), altered VEGF and insulin receptor profiles, and upregulation of genes involved in signal transduction, transcription and mitosis in placental endothelial cells. The placental vascular dysfunction does extend to other fetal vascular beds including endothelial cells from umbilical vessels, where there are reports of elevated basal iNOS activity and altered sensitivity to insulin. There is emerging evidence of epigenetic modulation of fetal endothelial genes in diabetes and long-term vascular consequences of this. Thus, placental vascular dysfunction in diabetes may be contributing to and describing disturbances in the fetal vasculature, which may produce an overt pathological response in later life if challenged with additional cardiovascular stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lopa Leach
- Cardiovascular Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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Coan PM, Vaughan OR, McCarthy J, Mactier C, Burton GJ, Constância M, Fowden AL. Dietary composition programmes placental phenotype in mice. J Physiol 2011; 589:3659-70. [PMID: 21624969 PMCID: PMC3167124 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.208629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2011] [Accepted: 05/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary composition during pregnancy influences fetal and adult phenotype but its effects on placental phenotype remain largely unknown. Using molecular, morphological and functional analyses, placental nutrient transfer capacity was examined in mice fed isocaloric diets containing 23%, 18% or 9% casein (C) during pregnancy. At day 16, placental transfer of glucose, but not methyl-aminoisobutyric acid (MeAIB), was greater in C18 and C9 than C23 mice, in association with increased placental expression of the glucose transporter Slc2a1/GLUT1, and the growth factor Igf2. At day 19, placental glucose transport remained high in C9 mice while MeAIB transfer was less in C18 than C23 mice, despite greater placental weights in C18 and C9 than C23 mice. Placental System A amino acid transporter expression correlated with protein intake at day 19. Relative growth of transport verses endocrine zones of the placenta was influenced by diet at both ages without changing the absolute volume of the transport surface. Fetal weight was unaffected by diet at day 16 but was reduced in C9 animals by day 19. Morphological and functional adaptations in placental phenotype, therefore, occur to optimise nutrient transfer when dietary composition is varied, even subtly. This has important implications for the intrauterine programming of life expectancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Coan
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
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Abstract
In recent years, l-carnitine has been used increasingly as a supplement in livestock animals. The present review gives an overview of the effects of dietary l-carnitine supplementation on the reproductive performance of sows. Results concerning the effect of l-carnitine supplementation during pregnancy on litter sizes are controversial. There are some studies reporting an increased number of piglets born alive per litter, while others could not find such an effect. In contrast, most studies performed show consistently that l-carnitine supplementation to a sow diet low in native carnitine during gestation increases piglet and litter weights at birth and enhances growth of litters during the suckling period. Biochemical mechanisms underlying the favourable effect of carnitine on intra-uterine growth have not been fully elucidated. There is, however, some evidence that carnitine influences the insulin-like growth factor-axis in sows and leads to greater placentae, which in turn improves intra-uterine nutrition, and stimulates oxidation of glucose in the fetuses. These effects may, at least in part, be responsible for higher birth weights of piglets. The stimulating effect of carnitine on growth of the litters might be due to an improved suckling behaviour of piglets born to l-carnitine-supplemented sows, causing the sows' milk production to rise. In conclusion, recent studies have clearly shown that dietary l-carnitine supplementation increases the reproductive performance of sows. These findings suggest that endogenous de novo synthesis of carnitine is insufficient to meet the metabolic requirement of sows during gestation.
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Maternal Insulin-like Growth Factor-II Promotes Placental Functional Development Via the Type 2 IGF Receptor in the Guinea Pig. Placenta 2008; 29:347-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2008.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2007] [Revised: 01/21/2008] [Accepted: 01/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Roberts C, Owens J, Sferruzzi-Perri A. Distinct Actions of Insulin-Like Growth Factors (IGFs) on Placental Development and Fetal Growth: Lessons from Mice and Guinea Pigs. Placenta 2008; 29 Suppl A:S42-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2007.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2007] [Revised: 11/21/2007] [Accepted: 12/03/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Doberenz J, Birkenfeld C, Kluge H, Eder K. Effects of L-carnitine supplementation in pregnant sows on plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factors, various hormones and metabolites and chorion characteristics. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2007; 90:487-99. [PMID: 17083430 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2006.00631.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that supplementation of sow diets with L-carnitine increases the body weight of piglets at birth. This study was conducted to elucidate the reasons for this phenomenon. Three experiments with 24 (experiment 1), 40 (experiment 2) and 12 (experiment 3) sows were conducted. In all three experiments, sows were allotted to two groups which had free access to a nutritionally adequate diet. Sows of one group were supplemented with 125 mg L-carnitine/day during pregnancy; sows of the other group (control group) did not receive L-carnitine. In experiment 1, plasma samples were collected at day 95 of pregnancy, in experiment 2 plasma samples were collected at days 80 and 100 of pregnancy. In experiment 3, chorions of the sows were collected at parturition. L-carnitine-treated sows had higher plasma concentrations of total L-carnitine than control sows (p < 0.05). The number of piglets born and weights of litter and individual piglets at birth were not different between both groups in all three experiments. L-carnitine-treated sows had higher plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on day 80 of pregnancy (experiment 2, p < 0.05) and on day 95 (experiment 1, p < 0.10), and a higher plasma concentration of IGF-II on day 80 (experiment 2, p < 0.05) than control sows. Moreover, sows supplemented with L-carnitine had heavier chorions (+22%, p =0.10) with greater amounts of protein (+45%, p < 0.05) and DNA (+38%, p < 0.10) and a higher protein concentration of glucose transporter-1 (+62%, p < 0.05). Plasma concentrations of 17beta-oestradiol, progesterone and thyroid hormones as well as concentrations of urea and total free amino acids were not different between both groups of sows. Plasma concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids, ketone bodies, triacylglycerols and cholesterol were also largely indifferent between both groups of sows. In conclusion, this study shows that L-carnitine has less influence on lipid metabolism and utilization of nitrogen in pregnant sows but increases their plasma concentrations of IGFs. This in turn may enhance development of the placentae and the intrauterine nutrition of the fetuses. This may be the reason for increased birth weights observed in recent studies in sows supplemented with L-carnitine.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Doberenz
- Institut für Ernährungswissenschaften, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
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Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Owens JA, Pringle KG, Robinson JS, Roberts CT. Maternal insulin-like growth factors-I and -II act via different pathways to promote fetal growth. Endocrinology 2006; 147:3344-55. [PMID: 16556757 DOI: 10.1210/en.2005-1328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The placenta transports substrates and wastes between the maternal and fetal circulations. In mice, placental IGF-II is essential for normal placental development and function but, in other mammalian species, maternal circulating IGF-II is substantial and may contribute. Maternal circulating IGFs increase in early pregnancy, and early treatment of guinea pigs with either IGF-I or IGF-II increases placental and fetal weights by mid-gestation. We now show that these effects persist to enhance placental development and fetal growth and survival near term. Pregnant guinea pigs were infused with IGF-I, IGF-II (both 1 mg/kg.d), or vehicle sc from d 20-38 of pregnancy and killed on d 62 (term = 69 d). IGF-II, but not IGF-I, increased the mid-sagittal area and volume of placenta devoted to exchange by approximately 30%, the total volume of trophoblast and maternal blood spaces within the placental exchange region (+29% and +46%, respectively), and the total surface area of placenta for exchange by 39%. Both IGFs reduced resorptions, and IGF-II increased the number of viable fetuses by 26%. Both IGFs increased fetal weight by 11-17% and fetal circulating amino acid concentrations. IGF-I, but not IGF-II, reduced maternal adipose depot weights by approximately 30%. In conclusion, increased maternal IGF-II abundance in early pregnancy promotes fetal growth and viability near term by increasing placental structural and functional capacity, whereas IGF-I appears to divert nutrients from the mother to the conceptus. This suggests major and complementary roles in placental and fetal growth for increased circulating IGFs in early to mid-pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Research Center for Reproductive Health, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia 5005
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Cross JC. Placental function in development and disease. Reprod Fertil Dev 2006; 18:71-6. [PMID: 16478604 DOI: 10.1071/rd05121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2005] [Accepted: 01/21/2005] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta is an organ that clinicians and embryologists would all agree is important for pregnancy success. Unfortunately, however, they too often ignore it when they are exploring causes for embryonic, fetal and perinatal complications. The core function of the placenta is to mediate the transport of nutrients between the maternal and fetal circulation, but it also has critical endocrine functions that alter different maternal physiological systems in order to sustain pregnancy. Both its development and ongoing functions can be dynamically regulated by environmental factors, including nutrient status and tissue oxygenation. In recent years, mainstream attention has begun to shift onto the placenta and it is now becoming clear that placental pathology is associated with several complications in human and animal pregnancies, including embryonic lethality, fetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia and the high rates of fetal deaths observed after nuclear transfer (cloning).
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Cross
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada.
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Gatford KL, Ekert JE, Blackmore K, De Blasio MJ, Boyce JM, Owens JA, Campbell RG, Owens PC. Variable maternal nutrition and growth hormone treatment in the second quarter of pregnancy in pigs alter semitendinosus muscle in adolescent progeny. Br J Nutr 2003; 90:283-93. [PMID: 12908888 DOI: 10.1079/bjn2003893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Maternal nutrition and growth hormone (GH) treatment during early- to mid-pregnancy can each alter the subsequent growth and differentiation of muscle in progeny. We have investigated the effects of varying maternal nutrition and maternal treatment with porcine (p) GH during the second quarter of pregnancy in gilts on semitendinosus muscle cross-sectional area and fibre composition of progeny, and relationships between maternal and progeny measures and progeny muscularity. Fifty-three Large White x Landrace gilts, pregnant to Large White x Duroc boars, were fed either 2.2 kg (about 35 % ad libitum intake) or 3.0 kg commercial ration (13.5 MJ digestible energy, 150 g crude protein (N x 6.25)/kg DM)/d and injected with 0, 4 or 8 mg pGH/d from day 25 to 50 of pregnancy, then all were fed 2.2 kg/d for the remainder of pregnancy. The higher maternal feed allowance from day 25 to 50 of pregnancy increased the densities of total and secondary fibres and the secondary:primary fibre ratio in semitendinosus muscles of their female progeny at 61 d of age postnatally. The densities of secondary and total muscle fibres in semitendinosus muscles of progeny were predicted by maternal weight before treatment and maternal plasma insulin-like growth factor-II during treatment. Maternal pGH treatment from day 25 to day 50 of pregnancy did not alter fibre densities, but increased the cross-sectional area of the semitendinosus muscle; this may be partially explained by increased maternal plasma glucose. Thus, maternal nutrition and pGH treatment during the second quarter of pregnancy in pigs independently alter muscle characteristics in progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn L Gatford
- Research Centre for Physiology of Early Development, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia.
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Roberts CT, Owens JA, Carter AM, Harding JE, Austgulen R, Wlodek M. Insulin-like growth factors and foetal programming--a workshop report. Placenta 2003; 24 Suppl A:S72-5. [PMID: 12842417 DOI: 10.1053/plac.2002.0935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C T Roberts
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide, Australia.
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Gardner DS, Ward JW, Giussani DA, Fowden AL. The effect of a reversible period of adverse intrauterine conditions during late gestation on fetal and placental weight and placentome distribution in sheep. Placenta 2002; 23:459-66. [PMID: 12137743 DOI: 10.1053/plac.2002.0830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Adverse intrauterine conditions occurring during early to mid-gestation or throughout the whole of gestation influence placental weight and the distribution of placentome types in sheep. However, no study to date has investigated the effect of a reversible period of adverse intrauterine conditions during late gestation upon fetal and placental weight and placentome distribution in sheep. Twenty-two sheep fetuses were chronically instrumented with an inflatable cord occluder, amniotic and vascular catheters and with a Transonic flow probe around an umbilical artery. At 125 days (term isca.145 days) the occluder was inflated to reduce umbilical blood flow by ca.30 per cent for 3d in 12 fetuses (umbilical cord compressed, UCC). The occluder was then deflated and umbilical blood flow allowed to return to baseline. The remaining 10 fetuses acted as sham-operated controls in which the occluder remained deflated at all times. At 135-137dGA ewes were humanely killed and tissues collected, weighed and placentomes classified. A reduction in umbilical blood flow by approximately 30 per cent from baseline for 3 days in UCC fetuses led to mild fetal asphyxia throughout the period of cord-compression. After deflation of the occluder cuff, umbilical blood flow returned to a level that was significantly greater than that measured during baseline. Umbilical cord compression had no effect on fetal body weight but significantly increased fetal adrenal weight relative to body weight. While the total number of placentomes was not altered by cord-compression, total placentome weight and the total weight of C/D-type placentomes were both reduced in UCC relative to control placentae. In addition, the mean weight of placentomes, and of C/D-type placentomes specifically, was significantly lower in UCC relative to control placentae. When expressed as a percentage of the total number of placentomes in the placenta, there was a significantly lower percentage of C/D-type placentomes in UCC relative to control placentae. In addition, there was a significant relationship between the total number of placentomes and the percentage C/D-type placentomes in control, but not UCC, placentae. The data suggest that a temporary, reversible period of adverse intrauterine conditions occurring late in gestation in sheep has persisting effects upon the placenta, mean placentome weight and placentome distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- D S Gardner
- The Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
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