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Article
Maternal nutrient restriction in Guinea pigs leads to fetal growth restriction with evidence for chronic hypoxia
Pediatric Research
  • Alexander A. Elias, Western University
  • Yohei Maki, Western University
  • Brad Matushewski, Western University
  • Karen Nygard, Western University
  • Timothy R.H. Regnault, Western University
  • Bryan S. Richardson, Western University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2017
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1038/pr.2017.92
Abstract

BackgroundWe determined whether maternal nutrient restriction (MNR) in Guinea pigs leading to fetal growth restriction (FGR) impacts markers for tissue hypoxia, implicating a mechanistic role for chronic hypoxia.MethodsGuinea pigs were fed ad libitum (Control) or 70% of the control diet before pregnancy, switching to 90% at mid-pregnancy (MNR). Near term, hypoxyprobe-1 (HP-1), a marker of tissue hypoxia, was injected into pregnant sows. Fetuses were then necropsied and liver, kidney, and placental tissues were processed for erythropoietin (EPO), EPO-receptor (EPOR), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein levels, and for HP-1 immunoreactivity (IR).ResultsFGR-MNR fetuses were 36% smaller with asymmetrical growth restriction compared to controls. EPO and VEGF protein levels were increased in the female FGR-MNR fetuses, providing support for hypoxic stimulus and linkage to increased erythropoiesis, but not in the male FGR-MNR fetuses, possibly reflecting a weaker link between oxygenation and erythropoiesis. HP-1 IR was increased in the liver and kidneys of both male and female FGR-MNR fetuses as an index of local tissue hypoxia, but with no changes in the placenta.ConclusionChronic hypoxia is likely to be an important signaling mechanism for the decreased fetal growth seen with maternal undernutrition and appears to be post-placental in nature.

Citation Information
Alexander A. Elias, Yohei Maki, Brad Matushewski, Karen Nygard, et al.. "Maternal nutrient restriction in Guinea pigs leads to fetal growth restriction with evidence for chronic hypoxia" Pediatric Research Vol. 82 Iss. 1 (2017) p. 141 - 147
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/timothy-regnault/23/