Dietary calcium and magnesium supplemented maternal diets on skewing of sex ratio and sexually dimorphic gene expression in Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) placenta

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the influence of calcium and magnesium supplementation on the skewing of sex ratio and placental genes expression in New Zealand White Rabbits. A total of 25 rabbits were allocated to 5 groups; each treatment group was supplemented with Ca and Mg; T1 (0.4% and 0.01%), T2 (0.6% and 0.02%), T3 (0.8% and 0.03%), and T4 (1.0% and 0.04%) respectively, while the C group was provided with regular feed and subjected to three breeding. The T3 group produced a female-biased litter and hence, the F1 female kits (n=12) of T3 and C group was provided same supplementation management. At 21 days of gestation, three animals from each group were sacrificed and placental samples were collected, the remaining animals were allowed for full-term delivery. The selected F1 produced female-biased litter with elevated serum Ca and Mg concentrations and reduced sodium and cholesterol levels. A total of 15 genes related to mineral absorption, placental development and immunity were selected to study the influence of diet on sex and placental gene expression. The expression of genes such as PEG10, SOD1, SLC30A, TLR4, AR, and TRPM6 was high in the treatment placenta compared to the control. RTL1, ESR2, CALM2, and TRPM6 upregulated in the treatment female placenta. The study concluded that the intake of 0.8% Ca and 0.03% Mg could lead to the production of more females and upregulation of some placental genes could serve as the molecular mechanism in response to intake of the minerals and fetal sex.