Fetal Programming Effects of a Mild Food Restriction During Pregnancy in Mice: How Does It Compare to Intragestational Ghrelin Administration?

TORRES, PEDRO JAVIER; LUQUE, EUGENIA MERCEDES; DI GIORGIO, NOELIA PAULA; RAMÍREZ, NICOLÁS DAVID; PONZIO, MARINA FLAVIA; CANTARELLI, VERÓNICA; CARLINI, VALERIA PAOLA; LUX-LANTOS, VICTORIA; MARTINI, ANA CAROLINA

REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES

SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC

Año: 2021

1933-7191

o explore in mice if a 15% food restriction protocol during pregnancy programs the offspring postnatal development, with emphasis on reproductive function, and to assess if ghrelin (Ghrl) administration to mouse dams exerts effects that mimic those obtained under mild caloric restriction. Mice were 15% food-restricted, injected with 4 nmol/animal/day of Ghrl, or injected with the vehicle (control) thorough pregnancy. After birth, the pups did not receive further treatment. Pups born from food-restricted dams (FR pups) were lighter than Ghrl pups at birth, but reached normal weight at adulthood. Ghrl pups were heavier at birth and gained more weight than control pups (C pups). This effect was not associated with plasma IGF-1. FR pups showed a delay in pinna detachment and eye opening, while an advance was observed in Ghrl pups. FR pups showed also impairment in the surface-righting reflex. In both female FR and Ghrl pups, there was an advance in vaginal opening and, in adulthood, FR pu