Inter- and trans-generational effects of gestational ghrelin imbalance on development and reproduction in the mouse

TORRES, PEDRO JAVIER; LUQUE, EUGENIA MERCEDES; RAMÍREZ, NICOLÁS DAVID; CARLINI, VALERIA PAOLA; MARTINI, ANA CAROLINA

REPRODUCTION FERTILITY AND DEVELOPMENT

CSIRO PUBLISHING

Año: 2022 vol. 34 p. 944 - 944

1031-3613

ontext and aims: We have demonstrated that ghrelin (Ghrl) participates in fetal programming, since intragestational hyperghrelinaemia increased pup´s growth and a Ghrl-receptor antagonist accelerated offspring´s sexual maturation and impaired their adult reproductive function. Now, we aim to analyse if these phenotypic changes (found in F1) also occurred in F2 and/or F3 generations. Methods: We treated mice dams (F0), with 4 nmol/animal/day of Ghrl or 6 nmol/animal/day of an antagonist [Ant:(d-Lys3)GHRP6] from day 1 of pregnancy until delivery. When F1 female pups reached adulthood, they were paired to obtain F2, and subsequently, F2 females were paired to obtain F3. Parameters evaluated in F2 and F3 pups were: growth, physical development, neurobiological maturation, puberty onset and in adulthood, reproductive function. Key results: The F2 and F3 Ant groups showed a significant increase in litter size. Although no differences were detected in the weight of these pups at birth, in ad