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Cracco RC, Bussiman FDO, Polizel GHG, Furlan É, Garcia NP, Poit DAS, Pugliesi G, Santana MHDA. Effects of Maternal Nutrition on Female Offspring Weight Gain and Sexual Development. Front Genet 2021; 12:737382. [PMID: 34887899 PMCID: PMC8650139 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.737382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal nutrition during pregnancy influences postnatal life of animals; nevertheless, few studies have investigated its effects on the productive performance and reproductive development of heifers. This study evaluated the performance, reproductive development, and correlation between reproduction × fat thickness and performance × ribeye area (REA) traits of heifers. We also performed an exploratory genomic association during the rearing period in heifers submitted to fetal programming. The study comprised 55 Nellore heifers born to dams exposed to one of the following nutritional planes: control, without protein-energy supplementation; PELT, protein-energy last trimester, protein-energy supplementation offered in the final third of pregnancy; and PEWG, protein-energy whole gestation, protein-energy supplementation upon pregnancy confirmation. Protein-energy supplementation occurred at the level of 0.3% live weight. After weaning, heifers were submitted to periodic evaluations of weight and body composition by ultrasonography. From 12 to 18 months, we evaluated the reproductive tract of heifers to monitor its development for sexual precocity and ovarian follicle population. The treatments had no effect (p > 0.05) on average daily gain; however, the weight of the animals showed a significant difference over time (p = 0.017). No differences were found between treatments for REA, backfat, and rump fat thickness, nor for puberty age, antral follicular count, and other traits related to reproductive tract development (p > 0.05). The correlation analysis between performance traits and REA showed high correlations (r > 0.37) between REA at weaning and year versus weight from weaning until yearling; however, no correlation was found for reproductive development traits versus fat thickness (p > 0.05). The exploratory genomic association study showed one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for each treatment on an intergenic region for control and PEWG, and the one for PELT on an intronic region of RAPGEF1 gene. Maternal nutrition affected only the weight of the animals throughout the rearing period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Cavalcante Cracco
- Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | | | | | - Édison Furlan
- Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Nara Pontes Garcia
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Diego Angelo Schmidt Poit
- Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Pugliesi
- Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
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Harvey A, Caretti G, Moresi V, Renzini A, Adamo S. Interplay between Metabolites and the Epigenome in Regulating Embryonic and Adult Stem Cell Potency and Maintenance. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 13:573-589. [PMID: 31597110 PMCID: PMC6830055 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The environment surrounding stem cells has the ability to elicit profound, heritable epigenetic changes orchestrated by multiple epigenetic mechanisms, which can be modulated by the level of specific metabolites. In this review, we highlight the significance of metabolism in regulating stem cell homeostasis, cell state, and differentiation capacity, using metabolic regulation of embryonic and adult muscle stem cells as examples, and cast light on the interaction between cellular metabolism and epigenetics. These new regulatory networks, based on the dynamic interplay between metabolism and epigenetics in stem cell biology, are important, not only for understanding tissue homeostasis, but to determine in vitro culture conditions which accurately support normal cell physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Harvey
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 2010, Australia
| | - Giuseppina Caretti
- Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Viviana Moresi
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine & Orthopedics, Histology & Medical Embryology Section, Sapienza University of Rome and Interuniversity Institute of Myology, Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Renzini
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine & Orthopedics, Histology & Medical Embryology Section, Sapienza University of Rome and Interuniversity Institute of Myology, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Adamo
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine & Orthopedics, Histology & Medical Embryology Section, Sapienza University of Rome and Interuniversity Institute of Myology, Rome, Italy
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Sepúlveda-Martínez Á, Rodríguez-López M, Paz Y Miño F, Casu G, Crovetto F, Gratacós E, Crispi F. Transgenerational transmission of small-for-gestational age. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2019; 53:623-629. [PMID: 30207012 DOI: 10.1002/uog.20119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the transgenerational transmission of small-for-gestational age (SGA). METHODS This was a cohort study of a random sample of 2043 offspring delivered between 1975 and 1993 at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu in Barcelona. Exclusion criteria were multiple pregnancy, aneuploidy or genetic syndrome, major birth defects, severe mental disease and macrosomia. Eligible individuals were contacted and those with at least one offspring were included in the study. Participants were classified according to the presence of SGA (defined as birth weight < 10th percentile) at birth. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the presence of SGA or placenta-mediated disease (defined as the presence of SGA, pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension and/or placental abruption) in the following generation. RESULTS Of 623 individuals who agreed to participate, 152 (72 born SGA and 80 born appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA)) were reported to have at least one child. Descendants of SGA individuals presented with a lower birth-weight percentile (median, 26 (interquartile range (IQR), 7-52) vs 43 (IQR, 19-75); P < 0.001) and a higher prevalence of SGA (40.3% vs 16.3%; P = 0.001) and placenta-mediated disease (43.1% vs 17.5%; P = 0.001) than did the offspring of AGA individuals. After adjustment for confounding variables, parental SGA background was associated with an almost three-fold increased risk of subsequent SGA or any placenta-mediated disease in the following generation. This association was stronger in SGA mothers than in SGA fathers. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide evidence suggesting a transgenerational transmission of SGA, highlighting the importance of public health strategies for preventing intrauterine growth impairment. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Á Sepúlveda-Martínez
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut Clínic de Ginecologia Obstetricia i Neonatologia, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, CIBER-ER, Barcelona, Spain
- Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - M Rodríguez-López
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut Clínic de Ginecologia Obstetricia i Neonatologia, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, CIBER-ER, Barcelona, Spain
- Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Seccional Cali, Cali, Colombia
| | - F Paz Y Miño
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut Clínic de Ginecologia Obstetricia i Neonatologia, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, CIBER-ER, Barcelona, Spain
| | - G Casu
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut Clínic de Ginecologia Obstetricia i Neonatologia, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, CIBER-ER, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Crovetto
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut Clínic de Ginecologia Obstetricia i Neonatologia, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, CIBER-ER, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Gratacós
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut Clínic de Ginecologia Obstetricia i Neonatologia, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, CIBER-ER, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Crispi
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut Clínic de Ginecologia Obstetricia i Neonatologia, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, CIBER-ER, Barcelona, Spain
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Langmia IM, Kräker K, Weiss SE, Haase N, Schütte T, Herse F, Dechend R. Cardiovascular Programming During and After Diabetic Pregnancy: Role of Placental Dysfunction and IUGR. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:215. [PMID: 31024453 PMCID: PMC6466995 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a condition whereby a fetus is unable to achieve its genetically determined potential size. IUGR is a global health challenge due to high mortality and morbidity amongst affected neonates. It is a multifactorial condition caused by maternal, fetal, placental, and genetic confounders. Babies born of diabetic pregnancies are usually large for gestational age but under certain conditions whereby prolonged uncontrolled hyperglycemia leads to placental dysfunction, the outcome of the pregnancy is an intrauterine growth restricted fetus with clinical features of malnutrition. Placental dysfunction leads to undernutrition and hypoxia, which triggers gene modification in the developing fetus due to fetal adaptation to adverse utero environmental conditions. Thus, in utero gene modification results in future cardiovascular programming in postnatal and adult life. Ongoing research aims to broaden our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and pathological pathways involved in fetal programming due to IUGR. There is a need for the development of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies for the management of growth-restricted infants. Information on the mechanisms involved with in utero epigenetic modification leading to development of cardiovascular disease in adult life will increase our understanding and allow the identification of susceptible individuals as well as the design of targeted prevention strategies. This article aims to systematically review the latest molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of IUGR in cardiovascular programming. Animal models of IUGR that used nutrient restriction and hypoxia to mimic the clinical conditions in humans of reduced flow of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus will be discussed in terms of cardiac remodeling and epigenetic programming of cardiovascular disease. Experimental evidence of long-term fetal programming due to IUGR will also be included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Immaculate M. Langmia
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Joint Cooperation Between the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
- Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kristin Kräker
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Joint Cooperation Between the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sara E. Weiss
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Joint Cooperation Between the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Haase
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Joint Cooperation Between the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Till Schütte
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Institute of Pharmacology, Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Florian Herse
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Joint Cooperation Between the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
- Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Dechend
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Joint Cooperation Between the Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- HELIOS-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
- *Correspondence: Ralf Dechend
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da Cruz RS, Carney EJ, Clarke J, Cao H, Cruz MI, Benitez C, Jin L, Fu Y, Cheng Z, Wang Y, de Assis S. Paternal malnutrition programs breast cancer risk and tumor metabolism in offspring. Breast Cancer Res 2018; 20:99. [PMID: 30165877 PMCID: PMC6117960 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-018-1034-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While many studies have shown that maternal factors in pregnancy affect the cancer risk for offspring, few studies have investigated the impact of paternal exposures on their progeny’s risk of this disease. Population studies generally show a U-shaped association between birthweight and breast cancer risk, with both high and low birthweight increasing the risk compared with average birthweight. Here, we investigated whether paternal malnutrition would modulate the birthweight and later breast cancer risk of daughters. Methods Male mice were fed AIN93G-based diets containing either 17.7% (control) or 8.9% (low-protein (LP)) energy from protein from 3 to 10 weeks of age. Males on either group were mated to females raised on a control diet. Female offspring from control and LP fathers were treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) to initiate mammary carcinogenesis. Mature sperm from fathers and mammary tissue and tumors from female offspring were used for epigenetic and other molecular analyses. Results We found that paternal malnutrition reduces the birthweight of daughters and leads to epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming of their mammary tissue and tumors. Daughters of LP fathers have higher rates of mammary cancer, with tumors arising earlier and growing faster than in controls. The energy sensor, the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, is suppressed in both mammary glands and tumors of LP daughters, with consequent activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. Furthermore, LP mammary tumors show altered amino-acid metabolism with increased glutamine utilization. These changes are linked to alterations in noncoding RNAs regulating those pathways in mammary glands and tumors. Importantly, we detect alterations in some of the same microRNAs/target genes found in our animal model in breast tumors of women from populations where low birthweight is prevalent. Conclusions Our study suggests that ancestral paternal malnutrition plays a role in programming offspring cancer risk and phenotype by likely providing a metabolic advantage to cancer cells. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13058-018-1034-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Santana da Cruz
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road, NW, The Research Building, Room E410, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Elissa J Carney
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road, NW, The Research Building, Room E410, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Johan Clarke
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road, NW, The Research Building, Room E410, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Hong Cao
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road, NW, The Research Building, Room E410, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - M Idalia Cruz
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road, NW, The Research Building, Room E410, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Carlos Benitez
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road, NW, The Research Building, Room E410, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Lu Jin
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road, NW, The Research Building, Room E410, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Yi Fu
- The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Research Center, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Zuolin Cheng
- The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Research Center, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Yue Wang
- The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Research Center, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Sonia de Assis
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road, NW, The Research Building, Room E410, Washington, DC, 20057, USA.
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Briffa JF, Wlodek ME, Moritz KM. Transgenerational programming of nephron deficits and hypertension. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 103:94-103. [PMID: 29859996 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2018.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to a sub-optimal environment in the womb can result in poor fetal growth and impair the normal development of organs. The kidney, specifically the process of nephrogenesis, has been shown to be impacted by many common pregnancy exposures including an inadequate diet, poor placental function, maternal stress as well as maternal smoking and alcohol consumption. This can result in offspring being born with a reduced nephron endowment, which places these individuals at increased risk of hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Of recent interest is whether this disease risk can be passed on to subsequent generations and, if so, what are the mechanisms and pathways involved. In this review, we highlight the growing body of evidence that a low birth weight and hypertension, which are both major risk factors for cardiovascular and CKD, can be transmitted across generations. However, as yet there is little data as to whether a low nephron endowment contributes to this disease transmission. The emerging data suggests transmission can occur both through both the maternal and paternal lines, which likely involves epigenetic mechanisms such chromatin remodelling (DNA methylation and histone modification) and non-coding RNA modifications. In addition, females who were born small and/or have a low nephron endowment are at an increased risk for pregnancy complications, which can influence the growth and development of the next generation. Future animal studies in this area should include examining nephron endowment across multiple generations and determining adult renal function. Clinically, long term follow-up studies of large birth cohorts need to be undertaken to more clearly determine the impact a sub-optimal environment in one generation has on the health outcomes in the second, and subsequent, generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica F Briffa
- Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Mary E Wlodek
- Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Karen M Moritz
- Child Health Research Centre and School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.
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7
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Abstract
Early - intrauterine - environmental factors are linked to the development of cardiovascular disease in later life. Traditionally, these factors are considered to be maternal factors such as maternal under and overnutrition, exposure to toxins, lack of micronutrients, and stress during pregnancy. However, in the recent years, it became obvious that also paternal environmental factors before conception and during sperm development determine the health of the offspring in later life. We will first describe clinical observational studies providing evidence for paternal programming of adulthood diseases in progeny. Next, we describe key animal studies proving this relationship, followed by a detailed analysis of our current understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of paternal programming. Alterations of noncoding sperm micro-RNAs, histone acetylation, and targeted as well as global DNA methylation seem to be in particular involved in paternal programming of offspring's diseases in later life.
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8
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Kalisch-Smith JI, Simmons DG, Pantaleon M, Moritz KM. Sex differences in rat placental development: from pre-implantation to late gestation. Biol Sex Differ 2017; 8:17. [PMID: 28523122 PMCID: PMC5434533 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-017-0138-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A male fetus is suggested to be more susceptible to in utero and birth complications. This may be due in part to altered morphology or function of the XY placenta. We hypothesised that sexual dimorphism begins at the blastocyst stage with sex differences in the progenitor trophectoderm (TE) and its derived trophoblast lineages, as these cells populate the majority of cell types within the placenta. We investigated sex-specific differences in cell allocation in the pre-implantation embryo and further characterised growth and gene expression of the placental compartments from the early stages of the definitive placenta through to late gestation. METHODS Naturally mated Sprague Dawley dams were used to collect blastocysts at embryonic day (E) 5 to characterise cell allocation; total, TE, and inner cell mass (ICM), and differentiation to downstream trophoblast cell types. Placental tissues were collected at E13, E15, and E20 to characterise volumes of placental compartments, and sex-specific gene expression profiles. RESULTS Pre-implantation embryos showed no sex differences in cell allocation (total, TE and ICM) or early trophoblast differentiation, assessed by outgrowth area, number and ploidy of trophoblasts and P-TGCs, and expression of markers of trophoblast stem cell state or differentiation. Whilst no changes in placental structures were found in the immature E13 placenta, the definitive E15 placenta from female fetuses had reduced labyrinthine volume, fetal and maternal blood space volume, as well as fetal blood space surface area, when compared to placentas from males. No differences between the sexes in labyrinth trophoblast volume or interhaemal membrane thickness were found. By E20 these sex-specific placental differences were no longer present, but female fetuses weighed less than their male counterparts. Coupled with expression profiles from E13 and E15 placental samples may suggest a developmental delay in placental differentiation. CONCLUSIONS Although there were no overt differences in blastocyst cell number or early placental development, reduced growth of the female labyrinth in mid gestation is likely to contribute to lower fetal weight in females at E20. These data suggest sex differences in fetal growth trajectories are due at least in part, to differences in placenta growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- J I Kalisch-Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - D G Simmons
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - M Pantaleon
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - K M Moritz
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia.,Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 Australia
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Cheong JN, Wlodek ME, Moritz KM, Cuffe JSM. Programming of maternal and offspring disease: impact of growth restriction, fetal sex and transmission across generations. J Physiol 2016; 594:4727-40. [PMID: 26970222 PMCID: PMC5009791 DOI: 10.1113/jp271745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Babies born small are at an increased risk of developing myriad adult diseases. While growth restriction increases disease risk in all individuals, often a second hit is required to unmask 'programmed' impairments in physiology. Programmed disease outcomes are demonstrated more commonly in male offspring compared with females, with these sex-specific outcomes partly attributed to different placenta-regulated growth strategies of the male and female fetus. Pregnancy is known to be a major risk factor for unmasking a number of conditions and can be considered a 'second hit' for women who were born small. As such, female offspring often develop impairments of physiology for the first time during pregnancy that present as pregnancy complications. Numerous maternal stressors can further increase the risk of developing a maternal complication during pregnancy. Importantly, these maternal complications can have long-term consequences for both the mother after pregnancy and the developing fetus. Conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and hypertension as well as thyroid, liver and kidney diseases are all conditions that can complicate pregnancy and have long-term consequences for maternal and offspring health. Babies born to mothers who develop these conditions are often at a greater risk of developing disease in adulthood. This has implications as a mechanism for transmission of disease across generations. In this review, we discuss the evidence surrounding long-term intergenerational implications of being born small and/or experiencing stress during pregnancy on programming outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean N Cheong
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Mary E Wlodek
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Karen M Moritz
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - James S M Cuffe
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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